Saath dy tok irae Hoch So ebeense. eerie yA 3 en oh gate oe os LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN Ss 5 namie as Digitized by the Internet Archive In 2011 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/reportuponunited06whee eo ef Se - a . ad id ’ ae | ' \ L | afro ’ a ie ane) Hits © ‘ aks ne ary whl ’ @ = J 7? Lhd . so ey en . +. a " . Z 4 RTs ds : cs ‘ , , i ne ee . ys is mathe 5 7 4 7: as , * a 4 se + ae e. i , “ F ye ~ kd é are 74 4 Syn os 2 a « cee. . ae ‘ c a S anise iufed ' elt 1 q 7 thy - “4 *4 ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, U. S. ARMY. REPORT UPON UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN, IN CIIARGE OF FIRST LIEUT. GEO. M. WHEELER, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BRIG. GEN. A. A. HUMPHREYS, CHIEI’ OF ENGINEERS, U. 8. ARMY. PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE HONORABLE THE SECRETARY OF WAR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ACTS OF CONGRESS OF JUNE 23, 1874, AND FEBRUARY 15, 1875. IN SEVEN VOLUMES, ACCOMPANIED BY ONE TOPOGRAPHICAL AND ONE GEOLOGICAL ATLAS. VOI. Vi—pOTANY. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1878. FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION. CHAPTER 455, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated, for the objects hereinafter expressed, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-five, namely : * * * * * * * For engraving and printing the plates illustrating the report of the geographical and geological explorations and surveys west of the one hundredth meridian, to be published in quarto form, the print- ing and binding to be done at the Government Printing-Office, twenty-five thousand thousand. * * * * * * * Approved June 23, 1874. FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION. CHAPTER 76. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the act entitled ‘“‘An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Govern- ment for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-five, and for other pur- poses,” approved June twenty-third, eighteen hundred and seventy-four, be, and the same is hereby, amended by adding to the clause of said act relating to the engraving and printing of the plates illus- trating the report of the geographical and geological explorations and surveys west of the one hun- dredth meridian, the following words: and ‘that two thousand copies of the report shall be printed by the Congressional Printer,” after substituting the word ‘‘dollars” in lieu of the concluding word of said clause. Approved February 15, 1875. FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION. “Mr. VANCE, of Ohio, from the Committee on Printing, reported the following resolution; which was read, considered, and adopted : “Resolved by the House of Representatives, (the Senate concurring,) That the following distribution shall be made of the reports of the United States geographical surveys west of the one hundredth meridian, published in accordance with acts approved June 23, 1874, and February 15, 1875, as the several volumes are issued from the Government Printing-Office, to wit: Nine hundred and fifty copies of each to the House of Representatives, two hundred and fifty copies of each to the Senate, and eight hundred copies of each to the War Department for its uses.” March 29, 1876. (See Congressional Record, vol. 4, part 3, p. 2037.) Agreed to by the Senate May 4, 1876. (See Congressional Record, vol. 4, part 3, p. 2969.) u AD INF ORE Ey... Seven volumes, accompanied by one Topographical and one Geological Atlas, embrace reports upon Geographical Surveys of the territory of the United States West of the One hundredth Meridian of longitude from Greenwich, as follows: Volume I.—Geographical Report. Volume I1.—Astronomy and Barometric Hypsometry. Volume III.—Geology and Mineralogy. Volume IV.—Paleontology. Volume V.—Zodlogy. Volume VI.—Botany. Volume VII.—Archeology. The Topographical Atlas edition, consisting of Title-Page, Legend, and Conventional Sign Sheets, Index, Progress and Basin Maps, and Sheets Nos. 49, 50, 58, 59, 66, 67, 75, 76, 83, 53 (C), 61 (B), 61 (C), 61 (C,), 61 (D), 62 (A), 62 (C), 65 (D), 69 (B), 69 (D), 70 (A), 70 (C), and 77 (B) have been issued at date of sending forward the MS. of this volume. Other sheets, of which there are twenty-seven in various stages of completion, will follow as rapidly as they can be prepared, engraved, and printed. Sheets 53 (C), 61 (B), 61 (C), 61 (D), 62 (A), 62 (C), 65 (D), 69 (B), 69 (D), 70 (A), 70 (C), and 77 (B) are projected upon a scale of 1 inch to 4 miles, while the scale of 1 inch to 2 miles has been used for sheet 61 (C,), the latter embracing a part of the San Juan mining region of Southwestern Colorado. The seale of 1 inch to 1 mile has been selected for the six-sheet map of the lake region of the Sierra Nevada encircling Lake Tahoe; and the contour map of the Washoe Mining District, in which ur IV NOTE. is situated the famous Comstock Lode, drawn to a scale of 1 inch to 500 feet, will be published to the scale of 1 inch to 1,500 feet, making a map of the size of four regular atlas sheets. The following Geological Maps, forming a part of those supplementing Volume ITI, based upon the topographical sheets, have been published, i. e., Title-Page, Index Sheet, Restored Outline of Lake Bonneville, Nos. 50, 59, $ of 58, and 4 of 66, 67, 75, 76, and 83. Other sheets are in course of completion. The Topographical Atlas referred to, embracing the entire area west of the 100th meridian, will comprise 95 sheets, on a scale of 1 inch to 8 miles, numbered consecutively from 1 to 95, inclusive, while the “Geolog- ical Atlas” will consist of the same number, using the topographical maps as a base. (See Progress Map of 1878.) Upon a number of the topo- graphical maps as a base, the classification of lands into the following divi- sions, (1) Agricultural with irrigation, (2) Timber, (3) Grazing, (4) Arid and Barren, is shown by colors. It is intended to expand this classifica- tion to embrace the entire area, thus gathering data upon which a new legal subdivision to settlers, to accord with presumable values as to class, may be made, pursuant finally to the following divisions: without irrigation. 1. Agricultural, 2 with irrigation or drainage. Ouran 1. Large, ) with prevailing species, as Live Oak, 2. Small, 1. Good, 2eabade 3 4. Arid or barren, including “desert lands.” Cedar, ete. . Grazing, with species and quality of grasses. 5. Swamp and overflowed. 6. Location of the precious and economic minerals, such as— 1. Gold, in place or placer. 8. Tin and nickel. 2. Silver. 9. Antimony and arsenic. 3. Cinnabar. 10. Sulphur. 4. Copper. 11. Sodium, chloride and carbonate of. 5. Lead. 12. Alum and borates. 6. Iron. 13. Peats, marls, and clays. fea@oalt NOTE. V Each full atlas sheet represents two degrees and forty-five minutes in longitude and one degree and forty minutes in latitude (an area of from 17,000 to 18,000 square miles, or an average of 11,200,060 acres), and is so constructed, upon a special projection, as to admit that the several sheets may be joined to comprise entire political or other divisions. The plan for the systematic prosecution of a detailed topographical survey of the territory of the United States west of the one hundredth meridian, as the main object, was submitted to the Engineer Department by the officer in charge shortly after the return of the Expedition of 1871, was then approved by Brig. Gen. A A. Humphreys, Chief of Engineers, and the Honorable the Secretary of War, and received the sanction of Congress by a specific act approved June 10, 1872. In addition to the astronomic, geodetic, topographical, and meteor- ological observations needed for the preparation and construction of the map, such observations as are required, and are commensurate with the present condition of development of this region, are made in the branches of mineralogy and mining, geology, paleontology, zodlogy, botany, arche- ology, ethnology, and philology. The quarto reports embrace the results of the special branches of the Survey that are completed at the date at which each is separately submitted, while annual reports of operations of the work, accompanied by maps, showing progress during the fiscal year, are regularly submitted to the Chief of Engineers, and appear as appendixes to his Annual Reports From the accumulation of field data, the finished topographical maps are completed as fast as the draughting force permits, and with the neces- sary additions, special editions showing geological formations and land clas- sification, are issued from time to time. Neither atlas will be complete until ‘ the whole work is finished. U. S. GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN, FIRST LIEUT. GEO. M. WHEELER, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U. 8. ARMY, IN CHARGE. REPORTS UPON THE BOTANICAL COLLECTIONS MADE IN PORTIONS OF NEVADA, UTAH, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND ARIZONA, DURING THE YEARS 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, AND 1875. BY J. T. ROTHROCK, LATE A. A. SURGEON, U.S. ARMY, SURGEON AND BOTANIST TO THE EXPEDITIONS OF 1873, 1874, AND 1875, AND NOW PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA, PA.; AND THE FOLLOWING SCIENTISTS: SERENO WATSON, Camnrmcer, Mass. GEORGE VASEY, M. D., AGricuLTturAL DEPARTMENT, GEORGE ENGELMANN, M. D., Sr. Louts, Mo. WasnincTon, D. C. Pror. THOS. C. PORTER, Easton, PENN. Pror. D. C. EATON, YALE CoLtecE, Nrw Haven, Conn. M. S. BEBB, FounratnDALg, Itt. THOS. P. JAMES. Campripce, Mass. WILLIAM BOOTT, Boston, Mass. Pror. EDWARD TUCKERMAN, AmnHeErst, Mass. IN FOUR CHAPTERS AND AN APPENDIX. ILLUSTRATED BY THIRTY PLATES AND ONE WOODCUT. vil TABLE OF CONTENTS. LETTER OF LIEUTENANT WHEELER TO GENERAL HUMPHREYS ..---.--------- Se Sen SCE aOR OS eee CHAPTER I.—Conorapo DISTRICT...-.-- Roser atsie Gaesenae ayeeemer weesos Ree cee eesjcer maieietontoties CHAPTER II.—NEW MExico DISTRICT.-.---.-----..----------- Gane erotne S5neeucooooo Uses sacs CuaPrer III.—Nores ON Economic BOYTANY.....----.------- Bischic se seicaeretcateste se etneccie yore CuapreR IV.—CaTaLoGUE OF PLANTS COLLECTED IN NEvapa, UranH, CoLorapo, New Mexico, AND ARIZONA, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THOSE NOT CONTAINED IN GRAY’s MANUAL OF THE BoTANY OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES, OR IN VOL. V OF THE GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF THE FORTIETH PARALLEL, CLARENCE KING, GEOL- OGISHUINT CHAN GE great emisees ane eieeeeine eae asin ea tae ainereetaneisicacatascieest= i= APPENDIX. NOTES ON THAT PORTION OF CALIFORNIA TRAVERSED BY THE BOTANISTS Ol THE EXPEDITION OF 1875, WITH ENUMERATION OF PLANTS COLLECTED DURING THAT YEAR .....-------------- TABLE OF ORDERS....-. Se sistte elses ceceeeen cetaresecceees tajeraleuiatsinte Sere laietsteteresVaeiaiate nosatecoc IN DEN fo = oo sons cawieiers saeveia nin ielm aie aieiarsteloe wee ine eereme cee scicicesissisisivsiecscjeceulcea (steels ScaSea os86 EXPLANATION OF PLATES.....-..----- secdetcacceeessese ealeeielaisiolarsiet Saietele sere cicle alanya [oye sjejawatelenie PLATE 1. me oe 13. 14. List OF PLATES: CANOTIA HOLACANTHA. PARRYELLA FILIFOLIA AND PETALOSTE- MON TENUIFOLIUS. HORKELIA PURPURASCENS AND POTEN- TILLA WHEELERI. PETALONYX NITIDUS AND VIGUIERA RE- TICULATA. BRICKELLIA LONGIFOLIA. APLOPAPPUS CERVINUS. ASTER COLORADOENSIS SENDIA ROTHROCKII. ACTINOMERIS WRIGHTII. Wyrrnta ARIZONICA. AND TOWN- . HEMIZONIA WHEELERI. . LAPHAMIA MEGALOCEPHALA. . LrucAMPYX NEWBERRYI. ARTEMISIA ROTHROCKII. PyRRHOPAPPUS ROTHROCKTI. PLATE 15. 16. 30. Cr_L®TADELPHIA WHEELERI. PALMERELLA DEBILIS, VAR. SERRATA. HrpDEOMA HYSSOPIFOLIA. . NAMA ROTHROCKIL. GILIA DEBILIS AND GILIA DEMISSA. CONVOLVULUS LONGIPES. HALENIA ROTHROCKIL FRraXINUS CORIACEA. ABRONIA VILLOSA. ATRIPLEX WOLFI. . UrticA BREWERI. . SISYRINCHIUM ARIZONICUM. TrisetuM Wo.ru, T. VILFA MINIMA. Poa WHEELERI. ALPESTRE, AND . Festuca THURBERI. NoTHOLENA HOOKERI. ap bese ha rh x yet iy per Unitep Srates ENGINEER OFFICE, GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF THE Oxr Hunprepta Mmripian, Washington, D. C., May 10, 1878. Genera: IJ have the honor to submit herewith reports that go to make up Volume VI of those authorized to be published by acts of Congress approved June 23, 1874, and February 15, 1875. The volume comprises a number of reports upon collections of the years 1871 to 1876, inclusive, made by Dr. J. T. Rothrock, surgeon and botanist to the Expeditions of 1873-4—5, and by eminent specialists. The collections obtained during the several years, after their identifica- tion and classification, have been forwarded, through the Smithsonian Insti- tution, for final lodgment in the herbarium of the Agricultural Department. The following gentlemen have been engaged as field assistants in this branch, viz: Dr. W. J. Hoffman and Ferdinand Bischoff in 1871, Dr. H. C. Yarrow and H. W. Henshaw in 1872, John Wolf in 1873, Dr. J. T. Rothrock in 1873—4—5, with Messrs. J. M. Rutter in 1874 and C. Shoemaker in 1875 as sub-assistants, and in 1874—5-6 Dr. Oscar Loew. Other members of the Expedition have also contributed to the large aggregate of specimens. By dint of much pains and labor a number of species new to botanical science have been discovered, twenty-seven of which are here figured for the first time, as well as ten species rare, but not hitherto unknown. ‘The total number of new species is fifty, and two distinct genera have been added to the known Flora of this portion of the United States New and well-marked varieties of older species have been obtained, and among them a number hitherto scantily represented in the largest herbaria. In many XT XIV LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. cases a wider geographical range of known forms has been developed, as, for instance, the discovery, in Arizona, of Ophioglossum vulgatum; and also a number of rare species, as of the striking leafless tree of Arizona, the Canotia, and specimens of which are thus added to the Government and other herbaria. From the Agave plants a number are described as of value for cordage and textile fabrics. The economic relations of various forage- plants, native and introduced, are noted. The value of Chia (Salvia Colwm- barig) as a remedy and dietetic is defined, as well as the medicinal qualities of other plants. The present and prospective relations of the forests to the settlement of the country receive mention, and tables prepared by Dr. Loew of soil analyses at important points are introduced. Although investigations in Botany, governed in a measure by the sparsely settled condition of the regions visited, are but incidental to the systematic purpose of the Survey, which has for its main object the deter- mination of data necessary for the construction of a detailed topographical map, yet it is believed that the material here presented, as the result of examination, by specialists, of large and complete collections, will have its value as a substantial contribution to the knowledge of the Botany of portions of the United States west of the 100th meridian and south of the 40th parallel. Attention is invited to the authors of various parts of this report, whose names appear on the title-page, and to whom so much is due for the skill with which they have prepared their several portions, and a merited tribute to the value of their services is hereby tendered. To Prof. Asa Gray, the veteran Botanist, to whom doubtful points have been submitted, thanks are due. The zeal and fidelity displayed by Dr. J. T. Rothrock, not only in the field, but in the preparation of his report, and in superintending the colla- tion of other reports, are worthy of all commendation. The excellent typographical work of the Government Printing Office in the publication of the quarto reports of the Survey is worthy of men- tion, while the artistic plate illustrations of this volume, furnished by Mr. Julius Bien, of New York City, are creditable alike to his artistic taste and the excellence of his establishment. The plates were drawn by the well- LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. XV known botanical artist, Isaac Sprague, of Cambridge, Mass., and Mr. W H. Seaman, of the Agricultural Department. It is with pleasure that this opportunity is taken of recognizing the industry, perseverance, and skill shown by those whose combined labors have made collections the results from which are embodied in the reports herewith submitted. Very respectfully, yours, GEO. M WHEELER, Lieutenant of Engineers, in Charge. Brig. Gen. A. A. Humpureys, Chief of Engineers, United States Army, Washington, D. C. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia, April 1, 1878. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith my final report upon the botanical collections made by the parties under your charge. In doing so, it is but fair to state how little of whatever merit the report may have is due to myself, and how much to those who have assisted in collecting the material, and to those who subsequently aided in naming and describing it. Dr. George Engelmann, of Saint Louis, has furnished reports upon the numerous orders and genera that he is our acknowledged authority upon, and these alone form no inconsiderable part of the whole. Professor Gray, of Cambridge, has throughout kindly settled all doubtful points of nomenclature referred to him. Without his advice and assistance, it would have been impossible for me to have completed the work. The same may be said of the services of Mr. Sereno Watson. He has also furnished the list and descriptions of the Leguminosz. Prof. Thomas C. Porter, of Easton, has worked up the Scrophulariacez, Polemoniacez, Labiatz, Borraginaceze, and Polygonacez, orders which together comprise a large part of the descriptive text. Mr. M. 8. Bebb, of Fountaindale, Ill., has written the account of the Willows, which are confessedly among the most difficult of all American genera. Dr. George Vasey, Botanist to the Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C., has made a careful report on the Grasses collected by the Expedition; and Mr. William Boott, of Boston, Mass., contributes the paper on Carex. xvu Ii BOT XVII INTRODUCTORY. Prof. D. C. Eaton, of Yale College, has written a most valuable report on the Ferns. This paper differs from the others inasmuch as it is a com- plete monograph of all the known Ferns of North America south of the 40th parallel and west of the 105th meridian, whether collected by your Expedition or not. It must remain for years the standard authority on the Ferns of that wide area. Mr. Thomas P. James, a well-known authority on the American Mosses, has kindly prepared the account of these plants; and Prof. Edward Tuckerman, of Amherst College, equally well known in his own special branch, names the Lichens. The remainder of the text I am responsible for, and though I can hardly hope it will equal the portions contributed by the gentlemen above named, I trust it may be of some value. I have freely quoted from other authors, and have endeavored to give due credit to the sources whence any information has been derived. I have cited the Genera Plantarum by Bentham and Hooker as the authority for the generic descriptions given throughout the Report in the form of footnotes. Though I have in the main simply translated their descriptions, I have occasionally made some changes to suit the particular species I was concerned with. My reason for adhering so closely to these authors as I did was, that the descriptions might be full enough to include other species found in the same region. It is a great regret to me that the material collected by Dr. W. J. Hoffman, formerly of your Survey, has not been directly available. Ihave hence been obliged to omit mention of him as the collector of many inter- esting species from Arizona and Nevada. I take, however, this means of recognizing the value of his work. I have elsewhere alluded to his report on the “Distribution of Vegetation in Portions of Arizona and Nevada,” published in the American Naturalist for June, 1877. Almost the entire botanical collection of 1873 was made by Mr. John Wolf, and it was among the largest and finest ever obtained by a Govern- ment expedition. I was materially assisted, in 1874, by Messrs. Henshaw and Rutter in the work of collecting, and in 1875, by Dr. H. C. Yarrow and Messrs. Henshaw and Shoemaker. INTRODUCTORY. XIX Dr. Loew, throughout his entire connection with the Expedition, has each year contributed largely to the botanical collection. I am also greatly in debt to him for much of the material embodied in Chapters I, II, and III of the text. I have avoided any change, as far as I could, in the manuscript of the gentlemen associated with me in preparing this report, thinking that a mere uniform mode of expression was of less importance than that each author should state his facts in his own way, and thus avoid the introduc- tion of any errors of my own. The preliminary portions, 7. e., Chapters I, I, and III, I have pur- posely made popular and avoided all possible technicalities, for obvious reasons. These same parts have also been made much shorter than was originally intended, because the remainder of the volume so much exceeded the limit at first assigned; and, further, because much of the material found its way into Chapter LV. The plates drawn by Messrs. Sprague and Seaman, and engraved by Julius Bien, need no comment from me. The name of each artist is con- nected with his work. There remains now but the pleasant duty of adverting to the generous aid always rendered by you, and by the gentlemen associated with you, both in field and herbarium work, and also by the officers of the various posts I have from time to time visited in performance of my field duties. Without the encouragement received from you and from them, no labor of mine could have collected the material for this report. Very respectfully, J. T. ROTHROCK. First Lieut. Gro, M. WHEELER, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, in Charge. Nore, December 31, 1878.—Since the manuscript for this Report was completed, the first volume of the Flora of California, by Messrs. Brewer and Watson, has been published; and we have reason to hope for the speedy appearance of the second. This, of course, reduces my labor, so far as the collection of 1875 is concerned, to merely enumerating the plants and adding a few fieldnotes. Anything more would have been not only KX INTRODUCTORY. unnecessary, but presumptuous, in view of the long labor they and Professor Gray had bestowed upon the task. During the same interval, American botanists have received from the pen of Professor Gray the first part of vol. 2, Synoptical Flora of North America. It is not possible to overestimate the importance of this to the ° science of our country. His work, when finished, must be forever the great landmark in American Botany. Of hardly less importance, or labor, is Mr. Watson’s Bibliographical Index to North American Botany, of which Part First, extending through the Polypetalz, has been published during the year. The thorough man- ner in which it has treated, and will continue to treat, the synonymy of the subject, renders any extended citations out of place here. It is hoped that the most important changes in nomenclature indicated in these works will be found observed in this Report. Mr. H. W. Henshaw has aided at the Washington office in his careful attention while this Report was passing through the several stages of proof. dig AN, Lie ADDENDA. Page 118, under Ribes Wolfii, Rothr., add: ‘This species is still regarded by Mr. Watson as R, sanguineum, var. variegatum.” Page 272, under Dasylirion erumpens, it may be added that recent information from Mr. Watson leads to the belief that this plant will have to be otherwise disposed of under Beaucarnea or Nolina. In the Appendix, pages 375 and 376, the following orders were misplaced in printing, i. ¢., => SAURURE, which should have followed EUPHORBIACER; and Lintacex, which should have followed ORCHIDE®, as in the sequence of orders observed by the English editor of Le Maont and Decaisne’s System. ERRATA. Page 8, eleventh line from bottom, for “serpyllifolia” read Page 9, fourth line from bottom, for “Abies Douglasii, Li Carriere”. chrysantha”, Gray. ndl.”, read ‘“Pseudotsuga Douglasii, Page 24, sixth line from top, omit the words “ various species of Dasylirium”. Page 183, eighteenth line from top, for “Campanula Langsdorfiana, Fisch.”, read ‘ Campanula Scheuchzeri, Vill.” ; also, for ‘ Scheuzeri ”, in last footnote, read “ Scheuchzeri ”, and omit “var. heterodowa, Gray”. Page 272, eighth line from top, for “Dasylixium” read “Dasylirion”. Pages 249, 375, and 322, for ““dAnemopsis” reac Wherever “Fl. Cal.” oceurs, read “Bot. Calif.” Plate XVII, for ‘‘Hedeoma hyssopieolia” read ‘Hedeoma hyssopifolia”. “‘Anemiopsis”, see also footnote on p. 49. U. 8S. GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN. ist LizuT. GEO. M. WHEELER, Corps oF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY, IN CHARGE. CHAPTER I. NotTHS ON COO hs 0. BY J.T. ROTHROCK, SURGEON AND BOTANIST TO THE EXPEDITIONS OF 1873, 1874, AND 1875. 1 BOT 1. CHAPTER I. COLORADO DISTRICT.* FLORA OF THE OPEN GROUND. The most obvious division of the botanical regions traversed during the season of 1873 would be into the open grounds, including under this head the plains from Denver to the foothills, the flat portion of South Park, the immediate valley of the Arkansas, and San Luis Valley proper. There would then remain the mountain region, including here the entire flora from the lower limit of timber to the highest mountain tops. There is at first sight a wonderful sameness about the flora of the plains, which has not escaped the notice of casual observers. The hoary, dry, stunted plants, with the great preponderance of yellow and red flowers, when compared with the more living aspect of the mountain flora, actually compels a contrast in the mind. ; To what is this difference due? Meteorological statistics from Colo- rado are as yet meagre in the extreme. Up to 1872 from only three points did we have observations for a period of over one year. Such at least is the showing of Mr. Schott’s “Tables and Results of the Precipitation in Rain and Snow in the United States”, and neither of these points was fairly within the grasp of the mountains, so that any comparison must be somewhat lame. If, however, we sum up and average the fall of rain and snow at Forts Garland, Massachusetts, and Lyon, it appears that the mean amount is 12.09 inches. This, however, can only be taken as an approximate estimate for the more open country just east of the main divide, being probably greater than the fall farther east, and certainly less than that west. *J have taken this chapter on the Colorado District from my Preliminary Report, published in 1874. 3 4 BOTANY. Compare this with 39.87 inches, which is the mean precipitation for a series of years in West Virginia. This State is selected because it has some points of similarity to Central Colorado, and because its precipitation is far from excessive. The difference is so great as to suggest that this is an essential feature in the difference of the floras in Colorado, where we prob- ably have a difference as great between the meteorological conditions of its plains and its mountains, as between West Virginia and Colorado. Another meteorological element will probably be sufficient to explain the problem in part. Where we have so small a mean precipitation, it is safe to infer that the atmosphere comparatively seldom reaches the point of saturation; 7. ¢., that there is less than the ordinary amount of aqueous vapor in it. Then it follows that however much of the sun’s heat be absorbed by the soil during the day, it will be most freely radiated back into space at night. I cannot better illustrate the full import of this fact than by a quotation at second hand from Tyndall: ‘Aqueous vapor is a blanket more necessary to the vegetable life of England than clothing is to man. Remove for a single summer night the aqueous vapor from the air which overspreads this country, and every plant capable of being destroyed by a freezing temperature would perish. The warmth of our fields and gardens would pour itself unrequited into space, and the sun would rise upon an island held fast in the iron grip of frost.’ These, then, being the climatic conditions, somewhat, of the plains during the growing period of the year, it does not seem strange that the ensemble of the flora should be as peculiar. The diurnal range of tempera- ture during the summer months is at times immense. In South Park, I have seen the temperature as high as 90° Fahr. at 2 p. m., and on rising the next morning found a film of ice coating the little accumulations of water around camp. Our familiar forms of plant-life would almost all be destroyed under such an alternation of heat and frost for year after year. The plants, then, that we do find surviving are, as a rule, more dwarfed, more villous, and with denser tissues than those of more genial regions. Nature would appear to have especially guarded them against excessive evaporation of their fluids on the one hand and freezing on the other, and meeting both contingencies by a small supply of water in their tissues, retaining that GENERAL REPORT. 5 which they possess under the double guard of villosity and contraction. I am aware that Mr. Watson, in his most valuable report on the Botany of the Fortieth Parallel, is prepared to admit a large evaporation from the more succulent portions of the plant. The monotonous character of the flora of the drier regions does, in some measure, disappear, when, on examination of these plants, so uniform in general appearance, we find a large number of genera and species differ- ing from one another by the small amounts compatible with their surroundings. This (the surroundings) in part accounts for the predominance of some orders and often of genera. We find a somewhat similar condition of things in the centre of greatest development of the Proteacee in Australia, or of the Pelargoniums in South Africa. Comparatively few of our Eastern plants are found in these open grounds, and where one does occur it is apt to be a cosmopolitan weed, whose pliant constitution adapts it to any condition of life, as well as to the hostility of man. Polygonum aviculare and Chenopodium hybridum are examples. Among the exceptions to this statement is Ranunculus Cymbalaria ; but its natural habitat on the Western open lands is, by choice, alkaline soils, where, for a portion of the year at least, it can obtain moisture, just as with us it fre- quents salt-marshes and the sea-shore. Among the mountains, on the contrary, we find a larger number of familiar plants. Indeed, the list is so large that it would be a real labor to begin the enumeration. Those plants embraced under the common name of weeds are from necessity found usually on the roadsides and about habita- tions, just where they can be transported by human agency, and find, among other essentials, water. It is wonderful with what rapidity they have occu- pied the ground in many places. FLORA OF THE MOUNTAINS. _ Leaving the level ground, we at once come fairly within the range of the timber. In South Park, this is not far from 10,000 feet altitude : tongue- like projections of trees do extend lower down; but I refer to the main body of the forests. At Twin Lakes, the timber begins at about 9,500 feet. In the San Luis 6 . BOTANY. Valley, it is much lower, about 7,500 feet above the sea. Here, however, the lowland coniferous growth is made up entirely of Pinus edulis, Engelm , and Juniperus Virginiana. It seems that where the hills begin fairly, they have been seized at once by some tree. Cottonwood trees appear both on the plains and mount- ains, where the supply of water is constant or nearly so. The Conifers above named are constantly found associated on the foothills at least as far north as Canon City. They do not fairly enter South Park. The line along the Valley of the Arkansas is sharply drawn. The ridge dividing it from Trout Creek is covered on its western slope by these trees, while to the east of it they hardly appear. From some facts observed I am led to think that at no distant past the growth of Conifere extended much lower into the Park than it now does. I have seen the decaying remains almost down to the Platte. The knots, which, as is well known, last a long time, were found scattered here and there frequently in the lower portions of the open ground. An occasional isolated clump of these trees still survives, far removed from their associates on the mountain-sides; and at times one may observe that the prolonga- tions of pine-woods, which extend out into the Park, become less and less dense, until finally only a single tree remains at intervals, these disappear- ing, and then only the half decayed remains reach farther out toward the valley. In one place it was observed that the tops of these dead trees all pointed to the east. This suggested the idea that the destruction may have been due to one of the fierce west winds which, during the fall months, are so prevalent in South Park. Once destroyed, other vegetation might readily crowd the young trees out. A notable example of this was seen in one portion of the foothills, where a whole forest of Pinus edulis lay prostrate, with not a single young tree coming on. As bearing upon this question of recession of the Conifere toward higher ground, I may also remark that where these tongues of timber run down toward the centre of the Park, the oldest trees are Conifere and the younger growth is of cotton- wood. This is especially marked at the lowest limit of the trees. Perhaps mere “rotation of crop” may serve to explain the change, though I doubt tt. The timber belt ends at about the greatest centre of development of GENERAL REPORT. Hi the nutritious bunch-grasses, though these do extend in magnificent growth up into the open valleys and among the less dense timber to an altitude of nearly 11,000 feet. From South Park to the New Mexican line we regularly found abun- dance of this forage on the eastern slope of the main chains. In the beau- tiful valley of the Conejos River, after striking the timbered region, we found luxuriant bunch-grass covering the ground as thickly as it could stand. In November it was still green about the roots, and was eagerly eaten by our starved mules. Pinus ponderosa formed open clumps, and under protection of these trees it attained what seemed to be its maximum growth. From 9,500 to 10,500 feet the principal arboreous growth was made up of Pinus contorta, Pinus ponderosa, Abies Menziesii, and Abies sub- alpina. Pseudotsuga Douglasii seemed more at home at a somewhat less elevation. Pinus ponderosa was frequently seen to extend in full size almost to the verge of the timber-line, and often to attain its largest growth at an elevation of 11,000 feet. In this belt (from 9,500 to 10,500 feet), Berberis Aquifolium formed a conspicuous feature of the flora, especially in the more open woods. The herbaceous vegetation of the same zone is well represented by Castilleia pallida, Parnassia parviflora, Pedicularis Grenlandica, Habenaria dilatata, Polygonum LBistorta, Trifolium dasyphyllum, Senecio triangularis, Gentiana detonsa and acuta, with several species of Pentstemon. From 10,500 feet to timber-line (approximate estimate, 11,500 feet), a change more or less marked occurs in the vegetation. This zone embraces within its limits a greater diversity of soil, exposure, and local differences of temperature than the one we have just described. ‘There are open valleys with perfect drainage, and hence dry soil; and others so swampy that it is almost impossible to ride over them; rocky slopes and deeply shaded ravines, which are always damp from the spray of a mountain stream. Hence it is not surprising that a more diversified flora should be found here. Pinus flexilis, continuing over from the lower zone, now in this its favorite altitude, becomes the predominant Conifer. It is subject to great changes in its habit, and among these there is none more remarkable than 8 BOTANY. the greater crowding of its leaves as you reach the still luxuriant though more alpine forms. The herbaceous vegetation is represented by Primula Parryi, Adoxa Moschatellina, Trollius laxus, var. albiflorus, Caltha leptosepala, and Trifolium Parryi ; the first four finding in the cold streams and snow- fed bogs most congenial homes. At timber-line, a most complete change comes over the landscape and with it, over the flora. Pinus Balfouriana, after becoming more and more common as we ascended the last thousand feet, has now attained the supreme place in the tree-flora. Except it, all other trees have disappeared under the increasing rigor of the alpine surroundings. It, too, has been dwarfed to the last degree compatible with the dignity of a tree. Where timber-line coincides nearly enough with the summit of the mountain to allow the strong west winds of the region to exert their full force upon the tree, it lies prostrate, with the top always pointing eastward, and having just enough of leaves, often, on its stunted branches to give sign of life. When some high cliff affords a shelter, the tree rises perpendicularly until the top is above the protection afforded, and it is then forced to take the eastward inclination From timber-line up, the surface may be bare of all vegetation, and simply a mass of rocks (often volcanic), or it may be more or less densely covered with a mixed sward of grass and sedges. Here and there, blooming in profusion, will be found clumps of Dryas octopetala, Trifolium nanum, Saxifraga Hirculus and flagellaris and serpyllifolia, Actinella grandiflora, and Gentiana Parryi. The last-named was found in full bloom near the summit of Red Mountain in August. Dwarfed specimens of Solidago Virga-aurea and Salix reticulata mingle themselves with the grass of the sward, and almost escape detection until looked for closely. Even these disappear as we approach.an altitude of 14,000 feet, and there remains then hardly any- thing except Claytonia arctica, which sends its long, thick root deeply down among the rocks after its nourishment. TIMBER Pinus contorta, Dougl.—(‘‘ Twisted-branch Pine;” ‘“ Red Pine.”)— This tree grows 40 feet high, and has a diameter of about a foot; wood GENERAL REPORT. 9 is coarse-grained. Where nothing better offers, it may be sawed into boards. Pinus flexilis, James.—(‘‘American Cembran Pine.”)—Attains in Cen- tral Colorado a height of 50 feet in its best situations, with a diameter of a foot and a half. The shape and color of the cones as well as the pliable character and white wood of the young shoots are, as Dr. Parry has already noted, strikingly suggestive of the White Pine of the East. The extremely slow growth of this tree is remarkable. The trunk, as a rule, is quite too full of knots to make good boards, though there is no reason why the less stunted specimens might not be used for coarse, heavy timbers. Pinus Balfouriana, Murr.—This tree is seldom, if ever, found at an alti- tude less than 9,000 feet above the sea. It is the last to survive the expo- sure on the mountain-tops; and finding a pine at timber-line is presumptive evidence that it is this species. It grows sometimes 35 feet high and 18 inches in diameter ; has little value as a timber. Pinus edulis, Engelm.—(Pinon Pine of Southern Colorado.)—The Pinus edulis is the one so frequently alluded to by Frémont as the Nut Pine. It furnishes capital fuel, having enough of the terebinthinate in it to make an intensely hot fire. This is the most important use to which the tree is applied. It ranges from the hills near Cafion City south, not going into the mountains west until it has crossed the valley of the Arkansas southward. Pinus ponderosa, Doug].—(‘‘Yellow Pine” of the West.)—This is the largest and most valuable of the trees in the region surveyed during the season of 1873. Itmakes the best lumber the country affords, and, besides, is quite abundant, though this fact will probably be the reason why it will be the first to be extirpated before the growing needs of an increasing popu- lation. In the valley of the Conejos River, it was found growing 60 to 70 feet high, with a diameter of nearly three feet. Abies Douglasti, Lindl.—Tree 60 to 90 feet high, though becoming much smaller as it ascends the mountain sides. As a timber it is only mid- dling in quality. It does well for beams, &e. It becomes much larger and more valuable on our northwest coast and has fewer knots than on the 10 BOTANY. Rocky Mountain ranges It is known according to Mr. Watson, in the Uintah Mountains as “Bear River or Swamp Pine”. Abies Menziesii, Lindl—This tree attains an average height of from 50 to 60 feet. Timber hard and coarse-grained, but is serviceable for rough work. Jumperus Virginiana, L.—A much branched, dwarfed tree, found asso- ciated with the Pinon Pine. It is of great value as furnishing the most durable fencing-posts. It is probably abundant enough in Southern Co- lorado to meet the demands for many years. There are, besides, several species of cottonwood, none of them, how- ever, being of any great value except for shade. It may be well to remark that, on almost any, if not all of the ranches where irrigation is possible, in a few years the settler may relieve the con- stant glare of the sun by a fine, thrifty cottonwood grove about his build- ings. The experiment has so often succeeded that it is no longer a problem to solve. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES. Taking Denver as a starting-point, it is known that fair crops of wheat, rye, oats, barley, and corn may be raised with a tolerable degree of cer- tainty where irrigation can be resorted to. The same statement is true of the region east of but bordering the foothills, as far south as the survey extended this year (1873); the certainty (other things being equal) increasing toward the south. Grasses and sedges suitable for grazing purposes flourish in greater or less abundance, especially as the foothills are approached and the valleys between them penetrated into. The drier portions of the country (especially where water is within reach) may be advantageously utilized as sheep-walks. The grass of such regions is nutritious and abundant enough for this purpose. As an illustra- tion I may allude to Huerfano Park, which now affords pasturage to immense droves of sheep. The great objection to allowing them indiscrimi- nate range is, that where they go, the grass is so soiled that horses and cattle refuse to touch it. Hence the bitter antagonism between the two classes of herdsmen. An equitable division of the public lands would be to confine the sheep to the region of the shorter grasses, giving cattle and GENERAL REPORT. 11 horses the range of the taller bunch-grass. Of course, when the land was definitely settled, surveyed, and paid for, the proprietor would consult his own individual interest. Along our route, the possibilities of agriculture died out as we ap- proached Georgetown, though here and there an acre under cultivation showed that the farmer must have received some return for his labor. The valleys still furnished a fair quantity and quality of bunch-grass. We leave the country between Georgetown and South Park out of the question for agricultural purposes. There were, as usual, some beautiful summer ranges for herds. One especially, along a tributary of the Snake River, was covered with a luxuriant crop of grass. The soil, too, was fertile, and, but for its altitude, would have produced large crops of the ordinary cereals. South Park, 8,800 feet above tide-water, so far as known does not promise much in the way of grain raising. It has frequent frosts during the summer months, and the temperature at the same time is so low as to almost inevitably destroy all the cereals. On the morning of July 3, 1873, the ground was covered to a depth of two inches with snow as low down as the level of Fair Play. Its utmost will probably be accomplished in the way of agriculture in the production of turnips, cabbages, and possibly potatoes, with other vegetables equally hardy. It will, however, be an important grazing ground. Large herds of cattle now roam at large overit. In 1872 and in 1873, the experiment was tried of wintering the stock in the Park. It is asserted that it was successful, and that the herds kept there were in better condition in spring than those that had been driven for the winter to the valley of the Arkansas. The bunch-grasses in the smaller parks toward the mountains are of wonderful luxuriance, and will furnish abundant food for many thousand head of cattle. Sheep do well on the more level portions of the Park, among the shorter grasses. The valley of the Upper Arkansas, as we first saw it, twelve miles above Twin Lakes, certainly looked like anything but a land of promise. Along its central axis, the soil appeared absolutely unproductive, and seemed fit to raise nothing but “prickly pears and sage-brush”. Yet we have 12 BOTANY. abundant evidence that, if the climate were not too rigorous, under irriga- tion this same soil would raise fair crops. The smaller valleys leading down from the mountains on either side and intersecting the main valley at right angles all produced abundance of bunch-grass, though not so luxu- riantly as South Park. In crossing into this valley from South Park, we had made a descent of some 400 feet, and found as a rule a climate pro- portionately more genial. At Twin Lakes, potatoes grew large enough to be eaten before the early frosts destroyed the tops. It is not improbable that some of the hardier grains might be raised at this point. By Septem- ber, the yellow leaves on the cottonwood-trees along the mountain slopes indicated plainly enough that we had reached the limit of the “ growing- season” there. Reports reached us of fertile valleys with abundant pasturage west of Twin Lakes. The first fairly good farm we saw after leaving Denver was that of Mr. Lenhardi, on the Arkansas, twelve miles below Granite, August 27. We found that Mr. Lenhardi had just finished his harvest. He had a good crop of oats, barley, and potatoes. He admitted, however, that his success was earned by continuous irrigation through several months. Below him were several other ranches equally good. So narrow was the belt of fertile land that the ranches were often over a mile long, and hence, to include the legal one hundred and sixty acres, could not have been wide at any point. Following down this valley, we saw the first flouring mill at Chalk Creek. It was probably the best indication that we were not far from the northern limit of successful cultivation of the ordinary cereals. Leaving the Arkansas Valley at McPherson’s ranch, we crossed the Saguache Mountains via the Puncho Pass, which is reported as 8,600 feet high. Itis probably somewhat over this estimate, though still far below timber-line. South of us lay San Luis Valley, concerning the agricultural value of which there are so many contradictory reports. Settlers in the valley are loud in its praise; others are, as a rule, loudest in their disparage- ment of it. It may be premised that snow seldom falls to any depth, or lies long on the ground. ‘These conflicting reports probably find their solution in the fact that the most important roads over which by far the largest share GENERAL REPORT. 13 of the travel passes were located in the most barren portions of the valley ; hence those simply passing through it receive a most unfavorable impression as to its resources. To make this statement more clear, we will make the following divisions of the valley: First, that portion bordering the water-courses, where the soil is con- fessedly fertile and irrigation is possible. The land lying along the banks of the Saguache is the best illustration of this. The soil is the product (on the surface) of the immense crops of rank sedges and grasses that have for centuries grown, died, and decayed there. To say that it is as fertile as land can be, is not in the least overstating the truth. ‘‘ Breaking it up” is simply preparing a vast compost pile for ‘seeding ”. The following facts were obtained from Mr. Frank Brown, one of the most reliable men in the valley: Oats per acre produce 40 to 50 bushels, weighing 40 pounds per bushel; barley per acre produces 50 bushels, weighing 55 pounds per bushel; ‘bald barley” per acre produces 50 bushels, weighing 75 pounds per bushel; wheat per acre produces 30 bushels, weighing 65 to 68 pounds per bushel; potatoes per acre produce 300 bushels, of course an unusual yield; turnips, onions, beets, radishes, and cabbages yield well and grow to an immense size. I can personally vouch for the truthfulness of most of these facts. (I find, on looking over a letter received from Mr. L. A. Phillips, of the ‘‘ Colorado Farmer”, that the estimate of the crops for Colorado is, on the average, per acre, wheat, 28 bushels; oats, 40 bushels; potatoes, 150 bushels; corn, 25 bushels; and barley, 35 bushels. This estimate is by no means a fair showing for the corn of certain portions of the Territory. Fall grains have not yet been extensively enough tried to test the relative merits of fall and spring crops.) . Along the Carnero, Lagarita, and Rio Grande, the soil is not so pro- ductive of large crops as the Saguache region; but, to offset this, it is found that the crops are perhaps less likely to be injured by early frosts, and a larger variety of productions may be depended upon. In fact, all our ordinary garden vegetables grow on the banks of these streams. Despite all that has been said of the general innutritious qualities of 14 BOTANY. sedges as a forage, the stock in the San Luis Valley thrives the year around on them. There, over thousands of acres, these plants grow more than four feet high. Irrigation is possible anywhere in this first division, and water (slightly brackish) is usually obtained by digging a few feet. The second division is made up of the higher ground, beyond reach of irrigation. The soil and its productions undergo a complete change. Grama,* chico, and greasewood are here the prevailing growth. The soil is unpromising in appearance, yet would, if irrigation were possible, pro- duce fair crops. It will not be likely to be brought under the domain of agriculture for many years. Most propitious seasons are, in the absence of water, absolutely required for this kind of soil. It is, however, the legitimate sheep-walk of the valley. The third division are the sand-wastes, where there is no water and almost no vegetation. Even the chico and sage-brush are barely able to live there. I know of no use to which it can be put. There are some sheep occasionally found on it, but they derive most of their subsistence from the adjacent vega, or lowland. It is known, also, that in the smaller valleys between spurs of the mountains, bunch-grass is found in considerable quantity. The pinon- groves furnish shelter and a certain amount of grama during the winter for the herds that frequent them. From Loma, south, wheat has long been a regular crop. Corn, too, produces small ears with certainty at Conejos. It is not unlikely that they could be increased in size by the introduction and thorough acclimation of better seed. *The term Grama, now applied to the various species of Bouteloua in our Southwest, evidently comes from Spain. It is there applied to what we know here as Bermuda, or Scutch-Grass (Cynodon Dactylon, Pers.), introduced among us from Southern Europe, and also found now widely distributed over the warmer parts of the globe. Gramma is incorrect, and grass, as a suffix, is superfluous. The use of the name was evidently suggested here by the one-sided arrangement of the spikelets,—so like that in Cyno- don Dactylon. U. S. GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN. 1st Lirut. GEO. M. WHEELER, Corrs or ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY, IN CHARGE. CHOATE Rn EE. ISG Aas ON NEW MEXICO. BY J. T. ROTHROCK, SURGEON AND BOTANIST TO THE EXPEDITIONS OF 1873, 1874, AND 1875. CHAP DE R11. NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA DISTRICT. This district may be fairly considered as starting on the latitude of Fort Garland, a little north of the southern line of Colorado, and extending thence west to Loma,* on the headwaters of the Rio Grande. True, a marked change in the flora appears about the headwaters of the Arkansas and runs east out into the western edge of the Great Plains at Pueblo, whence it shades off gradually more markedly into the flora of the warmer and more arid regions as we go toward the south. North of this the Pinon Pine sel- dom appears in Colorado; and about Pueblo not less than ten species of Cactacee appear somewhat suddenly in the flora. Taking, however, the southern portion of the San Luis Valley, as I have done, from Fort Garland to Loma would appear to be a more strictly natural division, because south of it the change is marked in the flora, and is further confirmed by a corresponding change into larger areas of almost desert land, and by a decided decrease in the relative quantity of humidity in the atmosphere, with a resulting smaller number of springs and running streams. Still, along the mountains, or on isolated mountain peaks, even almost so far south as the Mexican boundary, we find enough of character-- istic Northern plants to suggest the inquiry as to whether the influences of the Glacial Period may have extended so far south, and driven these plants before it, as it did those of Labrador to the latitude of New Jersey and Pennsylvania on the Eastern coast. For example, we find among the mount- ains of Southern Arizona, Habenaria leucostachys, Habenaria dilatata, Goodyera Menziesti, Spiranthes Romanzoffiana, and Corallorhiza Macrei?. All of these *T assign Loma as the western limit only because it was the western limit of my exploration. 2 BOT 17 18 BOTANY. are strikingly suggestive of a more northern birthplace. Besides this, there are Veratrum album, Zygadenus glaucus and Z. elegans, and Picea Engelmanni, which tend further to raise the same point of inquiry. The presence along the southern border of Arizona of that somewhat rare and localized fern, Ophioglossum vulgatum, in our present state of knowledge, can only remind us that there are still some points concerning the geographical distribution of plants that are unsettled ; the most probable conclusion, however, being that (if we banish separate centres of creation for the same species) it. has at one time extended over almost our entire North American area. Its present situation in Arizona (on a low hot. plain) divorces it from any necessary association with glacial agencies. From Southern Colorado to the Zuni Mountains in New Mexico, we may in the main make the journey, and avoid any considerable mountain- range. North, the ‘Spanish Mountains” of the older maps will be to the east; and further south, to the west, the various spurs will culminate in the Valles Mountains and the Nacimiento Range, whose highest peaks seldom, if ever, reach an elevation greater than J2,000 feet, while most of them are much lower. Along the valley of the Rio Grande, the general altitude ranges from about 7,700 feet to 5,026 feet at Albuquerque. This valley, whilst much cut up by transverse cafions and smaller streams, is in the main an area of aridity. Along the streams, the ever-present cottonwood will appear; the sandy or gravelly wastes be covered with the various Artemisias, Nyctaginaceous and Chenopodiaceous plants; and the mesas (or high tablelands) intervening between the streams will be covered with a sparse growth of bunch-grass and grama. Representatives of the Cactacee will be found constantly. Santa Fé, just south of the mountains of the same name, is situated at an altitude of 7,047 feet. The plain around is, except where watered by the small stream from the mountain behind, barren in the extreme; not, however, because the soil lacks the elements of fertility, for this it does not, but because it needs an abundant supply of water. So long ago as 1846, Mr. Fendler made large collections at this place, and as the results are so well known it is hardly requisite to do more than allude to the general outlines of the flora. The mountain-slopes back of GENERAL REPORT. 19 the town of Santa Fé are covered with Abies concolor, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus flexilis, Their summits, however, not reaching above timber-line, are destitute of the peculiarly alpine flora so characteristic of the Colorado mountain-tops. Back of Santa Fé, the low hills also are abundantly covered with the Pinon Pine and dwarf Juniperus Virginiana. The extremes of heat and cold within a period of twenty-four hours, though still plainly marked here, are not so decided as on the great American plains further north, and this would appear to have something to do with the Cactacee, Chenopodiacee, and Nyctaginacee taking the place of the more hairy Astragali we find there (to the north). From Santa Fé we moved toward the Rio Grande, which we struck at the Indian town of San Felipe. The intervening country was of the semi- desert character, and furnished a scanty picking for the small bands of cattle that roamed over it. The valley of the Rio Grande, however dreary its appearance, gave evidence of an abounding fertility where irrigation is possible; I might almost have said an inexhaustible fertility, for at some of the Indian farms we could see where year after year they had raised fair crops without either rotation in crop or any attempt at restoration to the soil of the ele- ments of fertility they were so constantly removing. The combination of lime, sand, and marl from the eroded country above and back probably gave the explanation of continued success under such soil-impoverishing farming. This belt, however, was at best a narrow one, for the immediate hills were as usual covered with a growth of sage-brush and Atriplex. It was interesting to note here, as elsewhere, the protective influence of vege- tation on the face of the country. Facing the mouths of the ravines, which ran toward the river, were here and there elevated spots, whilst all around evident traces of recent washes in the soil were apparent. The elevations owed their existence to the growth of Atriplex and Artemisia, the roots of which entangled, or rather retained the sandy soil about them. I have had frequent occasion to note the same thing, especially in California. The com- mon Ailanthus glandulosus, which has become so much of an “‘eye-sore” on our Eastern coast, might almost certainly be introduced into that region as a protection along the irrigating channels and elsewhere, where some such 20 BOTANY. restraining force was required. It is known to be especially adapted to this end, as is shown by actual trial on a large scale in an area further north, but almost as dry. From Albuquerque across to Fort Wingate, which is about one hundred miles and north of west, the face of the country hardly improves. It is in the main a poorly watered, poorly timbered region, with an altitude ranging between 5,100 feet and 7,000 feet. Here and there a good spring occurs, or an occasional small stream puts in a hesitating appearance—to rise to the surface, or sink below it, no one can tell how often, before it strikes a larger main channel Until we reach McArthy’s ranch, west of Cuero, agriculture is out of the question. Small bands of sheep may, and do find a living in the country adjacent the springs and water-courses. From McArthy’s ranch on to Wingate, the country slowly improves, and in many places along the road, ground under culti- vation testified to the capacity of the soil for production of the cereals. The water is more or less alkaline, and some of the strongest springs are notably so. In many of the spots (where in certain seasons the ground is wet and then dries up), we found the usual saline efflorescences covering the surface. Such places always had a more or less dense covering of the so-called salt-grass of the West (Brizopyrum spicatum). This was eaten by the burros, but neither horses nor mules could be induced to touch it, except in instances of absolute want, and then it appeared to be not only innutritious, but after a time absolutely hurtful. The western slope of the Valley of the Rio Grande from the northern end of the Black Mesa leads upward into an elevated region, the lower por- tions of which are cut up into tableland, 7. e. mesas, separated by almost impassable cations. Over these mesas, grass in moderate quantity is found. Gaining elevation, however, as one goes west, the surface of the country changes ; at 7,000 feet, it becomes mountainous. The timbered ridges have well watered and grassy valleys between them. This continues southward as far as Nacimiento. Here a change comes over the landscape, and thence south to San Mateo we have to all intents and purposes a desert country. At San Mateo, this more western strip joins on to the somewhat improved belt of country I have described as commencing at McArthy’s ranch, and the two proceed southward, gradually improving, until at about 7,000 GENERAL REPORT. ail feet we meet the heavily timbered ridges of the Zuni Mountain Plateau. Here the flora presents a marked change, Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga Dou- glasit, and Abies concolor, with here and there a straggling Oak-tree, make up the tree flora of the higher parts, whilst at lower levels the Pifion Pine and the Western form of our Eastern Juniper appears. Damp ravines, swamps, and running brooks give chance for the growth of grasses, Junci, and Carices. Beautiful Pentstemons confer an unusual charm to the scenery, all the greater because of the desert country we have passed through to reach this range. The main trend of this chain is from the present Fort Wingate toward the southeast to a point to the west of and some thirty miles from Limita on the Rio Grande at Ojo de la Rosa, where the outlying spurs join with those of the Sierra del Datil coming in from the southwest. The triangle of land thus enclosed is dry, but not always level. Mountain-chains of short length run here and there; water is only moderately plenty, and the timberless character of even the more elevated parts is in strong contrast with the description given by Lieut. C. C. Morrison of the Zuni Mountains: ‘Following the axial line was a wide valley running nearly the entire length of the range, abounding in the most beautiful glades with bunch- grass 18 inches high, standing as thick as it could grow, here and there rooted out in the damper places by red and white clover. The Zuni Mountains are a low range, reaching in no place much over 9,000 feet.” From these mountains south we again enter a region more or less desert in its character, the only timber being the Pinon Pine and Juniperus. Here and there water may be found as at Zuni and Deer Spring and Cave Spring. In the damper areas, luxuriant growths of sedges and the common Mimulus luteus showed what the capacity of the soil was. In this area, an occasional basin may be found in which corn, ete, can be raised without irrigation. Such a one was observed just south of Zuni. The probable explanation is that a sub-soil of clay retains the moisture which is drained in from the higher grounds around, and the dry, sandy soil allows the seed to be planted a foot deep to meet the ascending moisture without being rotted in its somewhat prolonged struggle upward into sunlight. Some- times for miles, as in a valley south of Deer Spring, the soil is actually a 29 BOTANY. black bed of vegetable mould, on which a heavy sward is found. This probably would indicate, as the appearance of the surrounding country tends to confirm, that water may be had here at no great depth. Indeed, it appeared as though part of the season this especial area might be rather swampy. From Zuni south, the country may be regarded as sloping toward the Colorado Chiquito, and fairly merits the designation of ‘‘a dry rolling country”. ‘Thence south it again ascends to the White Mountains of Ari- zona, a densely timbered range, culminating in Mount Ord, 10,266 feet high, and Mount Thomas, 11,496 feet high. The road to Camp Apache crosses it at an elevation of about 7,400 feet; Willow Spring, somewhat lower, gives an altitude of 7,195 feet. Here the scene was one of transcendent floral wealth. The ordinary coniferous growth, to which we have already alluded, mixed in about equal proportions with Quercus undulata. The Conifers towered up sometimes more than a hundred feet, but the Oaks were seldom over 25 feet high, but branched out vigorously. The declivities of this range are deeply cut by cafions extending out from the centre like so many radii of a great circle. The soil is largely made up from disintegra- tion of volcanic rocks. The herbaceous vegetation was luxuriant beyond anything elsewhere seen in Arizona, and here only was the striking Sisyrin- chium Arizonicum found. Frasera speciosa, Onosmodium Thurberi, and acres of Aquilegia chrysantha, luxuriated on the hill-sides ; whilst in the cold spring- - water Claytonia Chamissonis, Ranunculus hydrocharoides, and Habenaria leucos- tachys were growing abundantly. Though in Arizona, these mountains are deeply covered with snow each winter, so much so as to practically serve as barriers, the dense growth of timber seen on them is simply a portion (possibly the best por- tion) of a belt extending from old Camp Tulerosa westward to Camp Verde, a distance of about three hundred miles. It is known under the general designation of the Black Mesa, or the Mogollon Mesa. It is really an island of verdure raised up out of the more desert areas north and south of it. Its average width is not great. ‘The Carboniferous strata predominate, but the southern extension is covered by basaltic eruptions.”* * Loew, vol. iii, Wheeler’s Report, p. 587. GENERAL REPORT. 23 The following analysis of the soil is given by Dr. Oscar Loew, chemist and mineralogist of the Survey, vol. ili, p. 587: Physicul condition: color, dark; consistency, Joose. Per cent. Sandie =a SOs Ot SOC ORS MOIS On One See ise Rrra 42.20 Shits amyl @Paynecads cacees sas6es Souder Succdoee cnet oo boeOoogOoES 37.98 Hygroscopic moisture .-.--. .. +--+ -2 + +20 eee eee e eee cence eee eee 10.97 Humus and chemically bound water ...... ...------+++-+-+---+--- 8.84 Chemical constituents : Per cent IDNMNISEY ho ds cn. Socdon combabeemosacegouuU JouUds aSladocede oF OUUC 0.015 Soda Lithia \ poondt Caden Qbo0es Sous cadLGs ooopeo aooce seaduasuane .-- traces Magnesia.... 2-2. 02-2 2- nee nee cone cone cee cece e ence eee rees 0.029 INV soaccs goon esnba0 oS 6500 cou dO Meno UGaD Sd Does Odo UEDDoo sao 0.153 Phosphoric acid... . 2.022.222 ee ceee cece ee cece tees cece tee tees 0.058 Oxide of iron Alumina [thy Giltts cesgnSagaocaodonb0 cpebopeoEnseacdesoser 2.013 Sulphuric acid Total soluble in hydrochloric acid, water included......--..--- -. 22.188 Insoluble quartz and clay .....---. ---- 0+. +--+ eee ee eee eee eee 77.812 The rock from which the above soil was derived is a red sandstone. The San Francisco Mountains may be regarded as a northward exten- sion of Mogollon Mesa, having the same average altitude (7,000 feet) and the same dense timber-growth, with here and there fertile valleys and open glades. South of the Mogollon Mesa, the altitude of the country decreases until at Camp Apache we are but 5,000 feet above tide-water, and in Tonto Basin to the west of Camp Apache lower still, probably between 3,500 and 4,500 feet. The word basin correctly represents this cation cut and crossed depression, of which we have yet so much to learn. Crossing a series of mesa lands at an elevation of 6,000 to 7,000 feet, we begin the descent to the parched, superheated valley of the Gila River. A complete change comes over the flora. If verdure and superabundant vitality were the expression of plant life on the timber clad Mogollon Mesa, in the valley of the Gila, hardness of texture and contraction of form would be characteristic of the flora. The attempt to make an analysis of one’s 24. BOTANY. feelings on being somewhat unexpectedly brought face to face with this peculiar vegetation would be futile, as no point of comparison appears to offer. The giant Cereus occupies the hill-sides which have a southern and southeastern exposure, towering up to a height of from 30 to 50 feet. Fouquierta, with its leafless, wandlike trunk, and its tip of scarlet flowers, Agave Palmert and Parryi, and various species of Dasylirium, dry, rigid skeletons of plants without the living green; Canotia, a tree 20 feet high, a foot in diameter, with green branches provided with stomata, but no leaves, all go to complete this desolate floral landscape | While the Mimose, Acacia, and Caliandre, rising to the dignity of trees or dwarfed to mere underbrush, inhabit the less dry hillsides and ravines, but still by their small leaves and hardened tissues show that they too have the impress of the dry, hot air about them. What the vegetation and climate of this valley may once have been we have now no means of certainly knowing. It is, however, in the highest degree probable that the process of desiccation, which has long been taking place in portions of New Mexico, is going on here. Along the higher bluffs back from the river, and far away from any chance of irriga- tion, one still sees the ruins of ancient pueblos, and in places traces of agricultural operations. Barren as the soil appears in its present dried condition, it has the capacity for production of luxuriant crops of corn, barley, cabbage, onions, potatoes, and watermelons where water can be furnished, as the garden at old Fort Goodwin proves, and as the Mexican Pueblo Viejo, some twenty miles further up the river, amply confirms. Leaving here an altitude of less than 3,000 feet, we again begin the ascent over a rolling country, and reach some twenty miles to the south an altitude of 4,833 feet at New Camp Grant. North of this, Mount Graham rises out of the plain, and attains an altitude of 10,357 feet. It is stated by Mr. Gilbert* to be made up on its northeastern face of gneissic rocks and a syenite, the great mass being probably metamorphic. As a single isolated centre, it presented more novelties than any other spot visited by us. Picea Engelmanni was found even so far south. I have elsewhere called attention to the number of more northern forms that we obtained from near its summit. * Vol. iii, 509, Wheeler’s Report. GENERAL REPORT. 25 As might be expected, Pinus ponderosa was the prevailing tree, and attained magnificent proportions. Skirting the flanks lower down, we found growing abundantly the Madrono (Arbutus Menziesii, Pursh) and Manzanita (Arcto- staphylos tomentosa), but not here attaining a height greater than 10 or 12 feet. The Oaks do not range higher than 6,500 feet on the slope of this mountain. The northern slope of Mount Graham has a barren aspect, the timber apparently not reaching so low a level as on the southern side. This may be due to the steeper declivities, as well as to the greater heat radiated from the Gila Valley. In the more open woods, from 7,000 to 9,000 feet, bunch-grass grew most luxuriantly; and in the moister ravines leading from the mountain down to the plain, sedges grew in dense masses, and furnished (current teaching to the contrary notwithstanding) a much- prized food for the stock ranging on the mountain. Whilst at Willow Spring we found the Aquilegia chrysantha growing abundantly in the open and on somewhat dry ground, on Mount Graham it was hardly ever seen away from the spray of a shaded mountain stream. The Pinaleno Range, of which Mount Graham may be regarded as the culmination, trends off toward the southeast, becoming reduced more and more as it nears Railroad Pass, a distance of about twenty miles from Camp Grant. This pass serves to connect the Arivaypa Valley on the west with the plains of San Simeon on the east. This flat, dry region has a varying altitude of from 4,239 feet at Eureka Springs to 4,833 feet at Camp Grant, and thence descending to 3,485 feet at Whitlock’s Cienega. Camp Bowie, situated in Apache Pass in the Chiricahua Range, which may be regarded as on the southern border of the San Simeon Plains, has an altitude of 4,872 feet. From Camp Grant to Camp Bowie, the route is over an exceedingly dry region, the distance being about fifty miles, and water is to be found at one point only, and here not with certainty. In the sandy arroyos were found growing Baccharis sergilloides and B. cerulescens. The local opinion is that these plants will not grow where their roots cannot reach water. There is no doubt that in many places where it grows, water may be had on digging to a little depth. Tessaria borealis was also a common plant of the region. 26 BOTANY. On the limestone rocks near Camp Bowie were Cevallia sinuata and Macrosiphonia brachysiphon, plants that we found to be by no means common. The Artemisias no longer formed the predominant feature of the plains landscape, as they had north of the Mogollon Mesa. The immense stretch of plain from Camp Grant south, gradually be- comes lower, until at Tucson it is but 2,400 feet above the sea. This plain as far as the San Pedro—say thirty-five miles north of Tucson (though, as before stated, in the main dry)—is covered with a luxuriant growth of grasses of nutritious character, wherever, as at Sulphur Spring, moisture is found in sufficient quantity in the soil. The immediate slopes of the San Pedro Valley are densely covered with Atriplex, Sarcobatus, Sueda, ete., while the malarial cursed flats along the river produce heavy crops of the ordinary cereal grains and garden vegetables. ‘Thence to Tucson the country be- comes more sandy, and even the Chenopodiacee give way largely to Larrea and various species of Cactacee. From Tucson south the plain again rises until at Tubac it is again at least 3,000 feet, and east of the Santa Rita Mountains Old Camp Crit- tenden stands at an elevation of 4,749 feet. Here we leave the area of the Colorado River drainage, and enter another, sloping toward Mexico. To generalize: we may say that from the Gila south almost to the Sonora line (along our route of travel), the country may be regarded as a plain with a gradual slope to the south, more or less barren and dry save along the river-banks, and in the immediate vicinity of springs; with the Pinaleno, Caliuro, Santa Catalina, and Chiricahua Ranges, and Dragoon and Santa Rita Mountains rising above the general level to a height of from 6,000 to 10,400 feet, the middle altitudes or mesas shading off into plains below and leading to mountain elevations above, with in neither case a clear line of demarcation between. Indeed, we may go a step further and consider the entire country from South Park south to the Mexican line as a series of continental swells and depressions, illustrating still this southward slope. GENERAL REPORT. 27 tas 65 67 89 ae (STS North, Wertical Seale 1 inch to 5600 feet. South. In the above profile, vertical proportions only are closely observed. The southward slope is well made out. I have taken, so far as possible, representative altitudes. 1. South Park, on Platte River, Colorado, altitude 9,000 feet. 2. Trout Creek Divide, 9,350 feet (approximate). 3. Granite on Arkansas River, 8,883 feet. 4. Puncho Pass, 8,945 feet. 5. Saguache, on the head of the Rio Grande, 7,723 feet. 6. Bacon Spring, near Fort Wingate, New Mexico, 7,189 feet. 7. Fort Wingate, 6,982 feet. 8. Zuni Mountains, rather a plateau than mountain-range, with an altitude of seldom, if ever, over 9,000 feet. 9. Zuni, on the head of Zuni River, 6,355 feet. 10. Willow Spring, 7,195 feet. 11. Camp Apache, 5,000 feet. 12. Tanks south of Camp Apache, 5,624 feet. 18. Gila River, 18 miles east of San Carlos, 2.769 feet. 14. Camp Grant, 4,833 feet. 15. Tucson, 2,400 feet (approx- imate). Of course, as a rule, along any given latitude there would be an eastern or a western slope also, as this line is not far from the meridian of the continental axis. An absolutely north and south line would give somewhat different figures, but would nevertheless illustrate the same truth. Intimately connected with this slope of the continent to the south is the geographical distribution of the forest growth. It appears that the one factor of all others in the problem as to what shall be assigned as the lowest limit of timber, is the lowest point on the plain to which sufficient moisture 28 BOTANY. shall reach. Hence it does not surprise one to find the lowest limit of Coniferous vegetation ranging somewhat in this manner as one goes south: Feet South Park, Colorado ......... S95 9S500) HOnSoHu50d oats DOUoES 9,000 Saguache, Colorado (Pifion)........ dar sare Saya Seis Neel Meanie 7,500 Santa lé,New Mexico) (Pinon) <2 2- see oe anes serieieeke ie elena 7,100 Fort Wingate, New Mexico (Pifion) .-...-.. .-.......--- beer 7,000 Mogollon Mesa, Arizona (Pinus ponderosa) ....--.-+..+-.2+----- 6,500 Mogollon Mesa, Arizona (Oak) .. ..---. 2. sees senses ee eeee 6,200 Campi Grant eArizonar(Oalko)ieetssee tere ten ieee ete eee cee 5,000 Camp Grant, Arizona (Pinus ponderosa) ..-.-~...---. --+ --+--- 6,500 5 Camp Crittenden, Southern Arizona (Oak)....-.-...... -.------ 4,749 Camp Crittenden, Southern Arizona (Pinus ponderosa) .-..-.-.. -- 5,000 In other words, where the plain breaks up into a well-defined mountain range or peak which is well watered, the timber begins just above the limit of the plain. The upper limit of forest growth, or, as it is called, ‘“ timber-line,” is less clearly defined. Dr. Engelmann has clearly pointed out, in ‘The Trans- actions of the Saint Louis Academy of Science” for 1862, p. 129, that near Denver it begins just at about the altitude it disappears in Alpine Europe; in other words, that it ascends in our Rocky Mountain Range about as high above the great plain out of which these mountains rise as it does on the Alps above the ocean level ; and the conclusion appears clear that this plain receives the heat freely during the day, and its dry air allowing as ready a radiation of it at night, it (the plain) becomes the furnace whose heat is to carry the timber to so unusual an altitude. Dr. Engelmann further notes that the popular opinion that this upper limit is carried to greater altitudes as we go south is not correct The following table may throw some further light upon his statements. The upper limit of trees averages between— atitude40=#1° north, ai peaks )setneer seeker ee eeiectee 11, 13824 latitude 39-409 north, 15 peaks... .-(- sa.i2-2 1-2 ce oe ee = 11, 636 Latitude) 38-399 north, Gi peaks; osc. eee ecee ease oe 11, 729 Hatitude37=38° north, s2ipeakseqc--e-acen eee eee eee eee mel 0620 San Francisco Mountains, 35-369, Taticuge erat LommaS ution see 11, 547 *Sierra Blanca, Arizona, 33-349, Jatitude north .. ....-...-.-.- 11,100!! *A portion of the material for this table I have obtained from Mr. Gannett’s admirable “ List of Elevations”—a paper of great labor and great value. GENERAL REPORT. 29 The fact here is apparent that between 33-34° it is actually lower than between 40-41°. Even though this be but a single isolated fact, the evidence that there has been some crudeness of observation would be further confirmed by the fact that the same table shows between latitudes 37—38° it reaches so low as 10,625 feet. One probable source of error in the above table appears from some observations kindly furnished me by “Mr. Francis Klett. Thus, on Meadow Mountain (California), timber-line on the northern side was 11,200 feet, and on the southern, 12,000 feet. A difference of 800 feet, actually observed (on a mountain isolated from any great radiating surface, and one of a knot of peaks) between northern and southern slopes, should lead to more specific statements as to the cireum- stances under which observations are taken. However, eliminating such exceptional cases as Sierra Blanca, Colorado, 10,410 feet, on the one hand, and La Plata Mountain, Colorado, 12,080 feet on the other, we may fairly infer these remaining thirty peaks were evenly enough divided as to the exposure, etc., to give us an approximation to the truth, and it would then even confirm Dr. Engelmann’s statement that there is little or no increase of altitude in timber-line toward the equator, in our western hemisphere, south of the 41st parallel of north latitude. As to the agricultural prospects of Arizona and New Mexico, we may safely venture on two assertions: first, that in neither of these Territories have we reached anything like the real possibilities of the soil and climate ; second, that in both of them there will always (so long, at least, as the present climate endures) be an enormous percentage of waste land so far as raising crops are concerned; of this, much may be made available for grazing purposes, and the remainder will, from its want of water, always be worthless. The Valley of the Rio Grande, from Loma, in Colorado, south, may be regarded as one continuous agricultural area, unpromising in appearance, but rich in the elements of vegetable life. Throughout its entire length, the cereals may be produced, and south of Santa Fé such fruits as grapes and apricots yield an abundant crop. The ordinary garden vegetables do well. This is, however, a mere strip, for the adjacent hills are at once assigned to the division of sage-brush deserts. Like the Valley of the Nile, 30 BOTANY. that of the Rio Grande receives its fertilizing in the frequent overflows to which it is subject, and in the mud carried suspended in the water used for irrigating. But unlike the Valley of the Nile, the overflow can hardly be called periodic. Dr. Oscar Loew has furnished the means of a comparison in his table, vol. iii, page 578: Rio Grande Mud. ese a Seas Potassavenesseieeaeieee eee encieceioec eee 1.784 0.473 BLY Ga odoo pep Seakaoebe one baeobebEboneaaobe 0.795 0.533 Ist Bo BReo Dab AES BOGsod snoosG Cuan OaoU Ch bear 1.751 1.901 (CarbonaterofMimes=-ceeesaeeesieaeeescettesee 5.190 3-717 IMagnesiapga sen stacee teases tee neater ree 0.181 0.762 @xidejomiron ee -meesacecelesecnee steerer ipa 5-5 oo cee coo, ae haunt oe Seer. } 14.890 31.870 Siliciciacid ese ere see sis conse cee seneeeceeceee 70.010 54.585 Sulphatetofplimelmeresee a eeseeeaeesec cies ee Trace 0.245 Phosphoricjacid2asseeee anseeeeesceetecee sec 0.092 Not determined. Water and trace of organic matter....-...---.- 5.012 5-701 99-705 99-818 The comparison shows, as Dr. Loew indicates, more potassa for the Rio Grande mud, but less phosphoric acid, than the mud of the Nile, whilst the Nile mud has a greater absorptive power for moisture than the Rio Grande, because of its greater quantity of hydrated oxide of iron. Except the enriching material thus conveyed, such long tilled lands as those of the older Indian pueblos have had no other fertilizer. And this fact confirms Dr. Loew’s statement that the water is the all-sufficient source of supply. In other localities, as the one he cites, three miles north of Silver City (p. 579), he attributes the success in raising corn to a moist subsoil (water being reached in 16 feet) and deep planting of the seed. But in Southern Colorado, in the San Luis Valley, where water is reached at a much less depth, irrigation is still found requisite. The Valley of the Colorado Chiquito, though now dary under the domain of agriculture, might be expected to produce large crops of grain, fruit, and vegetables when once water is furnished by irrigation.* Indeed, at the foot of the Mogollon Mesa, and for some distence up the *T allude here tothe upper portion of this valley. I have no personal knowledge of its lower part. GENERAL REPORT. 31 slopes, we may infer that the condensation of moisture by the higher peaks might make it possible to avoid the necessity for irrigation. Timber is close at hand. Salt River Valley is known to produce well, but the fact of there being no market for the crops has driven many of the settlers out. The Gila Valley proper, though intensely hot, furnishes many in- stances of good return for labor. The San Pedro Valley has already thousands of acres under cultiva- tion, and produces good crops of barley and corn. The Sanoita Valley, on the southern border of the Territory, though it has some land which may be irrigated and which is of surpassing fertility, must be regarded as rather a grazing than a farming region. It is well grassed, and has timber close at hand. This (as also the San Pedro) has the unfortunate reputation of being most unhealthy regions. The fact, however, is that the endemic diseases are such as give a low rate of mor- tality, and may be readily prevented. It is fair to make the statement that neither are now worse than were Indiana or Illinois a few years ago. The region of the San Francisco Mountains is said by Dr. Loew to be well watered, fertile, and suitable for farming homes. He adds: The ‘soil is comparatively very rich in phosphoric acid, and therefore most excellent for grain and corn; for beans, peas, and lentils an addition of gypsum would be an improvement, these requiring more sulphur.” It is now well proven that almost all the elements of plant life must pass through the roots and thence ascend to the leaves to undergo elabora- tion previous to the final acts of metastasis. Hence it follows that under the dry air and high temperature, where water is given, the processes of plant life must be very active, and that, (as in most of this region) where abund- ant food is supplied, and of proper quality, either directly from the soil or by the water used in irrigating, or by both, enormous returns may be anticipated. Facts do not controvert the conclusion, as a comparison of the yield, per acre, of cereals and of garden vegetables, between say Kansas or Nebraska (or even an older, better tilled State), and some portions of Arizona, New Mexico, or California, would show. The indigenous grasses, though somewhat localized in their distribu- 39 BOTANY. tion, and seldom forming a dense sward, are exceedingly nutritious, and stock will make long marches having no other food. Among them we may espe- cially allude to the various ‘‘ bunch-grasses” of Colorado, 7. e., Eriocoma, Festuca, and Poa, and more notably still the Boutelowas of Southern Arizona, where, without much distinction, all are called “ grama”. T am here again indebted to the researches of Dr. Loew for the following analyses of grasses. See Lieutenant Wheeler’s Annual Report to the Chief of Engineers, 1875, page 138. Festuca ovina, from an altitude of 10,000 feet, on the Jemez Mount- ains, New Mexico: AUIS) eee, | eee BMS COMO MA Ra denapr Orie oe ooh aasO65 12.3 PS Naarae ce Oennoon OO s nue COncen Gnas boaeapeces suet sabaG 0ba5 5.4 IM eanonenpeces seSeoasoeUdoaG caus Sbisie. Steveistayele sis eee ahaa eteeentetes 30.2 aaa exits (of ifn 0. 07 is ane) - vials gop meb neem. 12.2 Sugar, formed on digestion with dilute iecrochtentc acidmernrertr 10.8 Extracted by potassa, and loss... -......--... --------0------- 206.6 100.0 BovuTELoua OLIGOsTACcHYA, collected September 7 in the Abiquiu Mount- ains, New Mexico, at an altitude of 7,500 feet: NUE dan eeneA Sao pao Se nS toenane conmunmemocos as esos acnoldads 12.0 UG) | eee A eee ANI Ae Sonn pmcaby PebCou sc CACc. abo Lhd 7.8 IMll Cr earoos pono Mons uoUC HU eOaGcMoodESsOSoUD Ob oGoO bab onus pocCGE 24.4 antics s,s scsoayargjsiess © sovcie ust csestene nee eae feo teense esac tey leer or eToneretcieier 2.4 Aqueous extract (OOSiswmoaw)) eye cect tely-etoeere ste) oeleresatstareitae 14.1 Sugar, formed on digestion witb dilute hydrochloric acid ......-. 22.2 Extracted by dilute potassa, and loss....-....-.....----.------. 17.1 100.0 BouTELoua HrrsuTA, collected near Las Vegas, New Mexico, November 16, at an altitude of 6,500 feet; it was dead and dry, but without loss of nutritive properties : \VENOE Socads Obact cocdud scnoogessucod0 ace saoboooe seas 0o9005K0 13.0 DN; | Ween Sn nas Sac G SEC eRe aban acho boone a4 6.5 Fibre oo dMgh il OF eee ARE Saamatntcs Gace Tdadhs ce GbGC SO GHGe,. onAEEOO alt Aqueous extract (O09 sugar) <5 jc cles owen els miele ely iy) =1-1 13.8 Sugar, formed on digestion with dilute hydrochloric acid .-....--. 26.3 19,2 Extracted by dilute potassa, and loss.........--.-+-.-..++- ----- = —) > (—) GENERAL REPORT. 33 It may not be considered out of place to give some consideration to the forestry of this and the Colorado region. The subject is now one of growing interest, and it is not improbable will before long become a subject for legislation. The impression gained by a resident on the eastern side of our domain, from what he sees, or has been taught of the region about him, is, that North America, from ocean to ocean, is practically a timber area. True, he has heard of the Western plains and prairies and deserts, but that these treeless stretches are actually larger by far than the timber areas does not occur to him, nor does it appear probable to him that in the near future want of timber can become a serious drawback to our national prosperity. This is one standpoint from which the subject may be considered. Another is the influence of extensive forests upon the climate. Do they increase the rainfall? or do they simply aid in obtaining better results with less damage from what does fall? How far can we use them to reclaim waste areas? Will it pay? From the following table we may see the proportionate area of wooded to open land in our “ West” that fairly comes within the scope of this report: ; Total areain | Area of wood- PSs SES acres. land in acres, Colorado een settles sce Rescate 66, 880, 000 6, 667, 469 WIEN Gsecod ctogadecde tagpsee pam b asec eens 54, 065, 043 5,391, 883 ING? MUS SCS) ~opoes oben seecosecHceeoscee- - 77,568, 640 4, 710, 388 (ATIZONAL Sales ee estate eee Se ee 72,906, 240 4, 373, 065 INGREGEN e565 cobnSocscounoacos sncneacesege 71, 737, 600 3, 589, 869 Galiformiateceeisesese seen eee ee 120, 947, 840 9, 604, 607 Mexas asst eS sees sects see see Me 175, 587, 840 | "46, 960, 123 IGG oon esos scccebe ata. SeemepeseaeE 52, 043, 520 2,954, 751 INGO Se Jasastisooesacocasbee aceerecaes 48, 636, 800 2, 541, 524* This table will serve at least to show how small in proportion to the open area is that of the timber in our Western domain. Professor Brewer remarks, in his Analysis of our Forest Resources (in Walker’s Statistical Atlas, and afterward republished in the Agricultural Report for 1874, p. 352): “It is possible to cross the continent from the Pacific Ocean to the * Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture for 1875, p. 247. 3 BOL 54 BOTANY. Gulf of Mexico without passing through a forest five miles in extent, or large enough to be indicated on the map.” Then, again: ‘The woodlands of the East are separated from those of the West by a broad treeless plain from six to fifteen degrees wide.” It may be worth noting also that there is in these States and Territories an absolute want of a hard wood like our Eastern hickory, and almost no large growth of oak, such as we find here. The statement has been made that in the State of Texas there is an area four times as large-as the State of Pennsylvania, over which there is neither a tree nor a shrub.* Making allowance for the extravagance of this asser- tion, it is sufficient to indicate how wide are its treeless areas. In view, then, of the acknowledged fact that in our older and more densely populated States we have an impending dearth of timber, would | not a wise political economy endeavor to obviate such a result in our Western regions? ‘Tree destruction began with us as a necessity, but it has been matured into an instinct. With the comparatively small quantity of timber actually growing in the Western Territories, with the certainty of a demand for an enormous quantity as these regions are opened up, does it not appear that some restriction should be imposed on the almost ruthless destruction of the forests on the publicdomain? Take for example the Santa Rita Mountains in Southern Arizona, from which probably all the available timber will be removed before the real current of a steady and substantial immigration shall have set into the neighboring Sanoita Valley. Or the instance fur- nished by Kern County in California might be still more in point, as its speedy settlementissure. Yet, actually in advance of this, what timber there is, is actually being swept away. Mr. John Muiz’s paper on the Post-Glacial History of the Sequoia gigantea, in the Proceedings of the American Asso- ciation for the Advancement of Science, 1876, page 252, puts the case very strongly. He tells us that ‘‘one sawmill on the Kaweah cut over 2,000,000 feet of ‘big tree’ lumber last season” (1875), “‘and that in these milling operations waste far exceeds use, for after the choice young manageable trees on any given spot have been felled, the woods are fired to clear the ground of limbs and refuse with reference to further operations, and of course most of the seedlings and saplings are destroyed.” Then, too, come the destruc- * The entire area of Texas being less than six times that of Pennsyivania. GENERAL REPORT. 35 tive fires purposely started to clear away the underbrush that the bands of sheep may be more readily cared for and grazed. It can hardly be out of place to contrast such a wilful waste with the wise provision of the Swedish law (enacted prior to 1647), which compels the ‘‘private owner to plant and protect from cattle two timber trees for every one cut.” It may fairly become a question as to whether it would not be money well invested if the general and state governments were to anticipate future wants and plant extensive areas of our Western domain with hardy and rapidly growing timber trees. It appears from the latest statistical infor- mation available that already the States and Territories comprising our domain are in the percentage of timber area to the entire surface actually below Norway, Sweden, Russia, and Germany. In view of what we have anticipated in the way of increased population, this is rather an alarming statement. Will tree planting succeed on our open Western lands? What trees can be grown, and will they add to our material resources? Here we can only appeal to facts. We must premise by saying that to the young trees planted, care and protection must be accorded. In other words, they must be regarded as a crop to be protected from cattle and have the ground prepared for their reception. This being granted, we may fairly expect that over a large part of our domain we should have results something like those furnished by Mr. Longstreth, forester to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé Railroad. After three years’ growing, the following percentage of each survived and was growing well: Per cent. Silver-maple, one year old when planted.............. ......... 50 Box-elder, one year old when planted ...... 2... -c0s.s5.0..00. 60 Honey-locust, one year old when planted ....................-.. 95 Catalpa, one year old when planted .........--...-..-.-....---- 100 Ailanthus, one year old when planted.....-......---..-:-...--. 100 . American elm, one year old when planted....... RIE Oar OGORWEraae 90 The same authority furnishes many other statistics, but as they are not founded on any longer experience, I omit all save those from the fourth station in Kansas, at Spearville, 283 miles west of the eastern line of the State. The elevation is 2,480 feet, and is high upland prairie, and known 36 F BOTANY. as Dry Ridge. He adds that the growth was slower, but that quite as many of the trees lived. We may in many respects consider this a crucial test. After three years’ growth, the following percentages were alive and thriving: Per cent. Silver-maple, one year old when planted...... Le Ree Bee 90 Box-elder, one year old when planted. .........-......-.-...--- 890 Honey-locust, one year old when planted.............--...--.--- 100 Ailanthus, one year old when planted . ......................-- 100 Statistics from New Mexico and Arizona are meagre in the extreme. There is no doubt, however, but that thousands of trees of the indigenous cottonwoods, and of box-elder, Ailanthus, and China-tree, could be grown along the irrigating ditches and in other moist places: enough to raise the farmer in a few years beyond any immediate want for his most needed woods, and to largely spare the drain on the pine forests that cover the remoter mountains. It is in the highest degree probable that some of the various Australian trees, now being so successfully cultivated in California, especially some of the Hucalyptus species, could be made to do well in the warmer valleys of New Mexico and the warmer ones in Arizona where water may be had. These trees, as rapid growers, and as making good lumber, are of great value. We must still regard the problem a mooted one as to whether or not forests actually increase the rainfall of any region. The probabilities, however, appear to be against the supposition that they do. There can be, I think, no reasonable doubt but that they aid in obtaining greater benefits from what does fall. I am aware of recent observations in France which would appear to make even this doubtful, but I think the facts are so well established here that they may be regarded as above suspicion. The paper by Mr. Muir, already quoted, gives a striking illustration of this in the case of the Sequoia gigantea, and other instances not less apt might be furnished. Mr. Cooper, of Santa Barbara, has elaborated at some length a plan for obtaining larger results in agriculture from the same quantity of water by making the shade of the eucalyptus diminish the excessive evapo- ration of the water. The details of this will be considered elsewhere.* “Tt may be considered a question as to whether the water taken up by the roots would not equal or exceed that saved from evaporation. GENERAL REPORT. aC Of course, the question as to how long we must wait for these trees to develop into timber is another element of the problem, and this will vary with the particular species of tree. In California, we might expect the blue gum would in five years be large enough to use as fuel and as fencing, but we could hardly expect it to have sufficient girth to answer most commer- cial purposes inside of thirty years. Emerson, in his “Trees and Shrubs Growing Naturally in the Forests of Massachusetts”, instances a white pine planted near Paris thirty years before, that had attained a diameter of 3 feet and was 80 feet high. Marsh, in “Man and Nature”, p. 274, tells of another that in thirty-six years had grown to 25 inches in diameter. The Ailanthus, American elm, and chestnut may be given as illustrations of rapid growth. Hither of these would in thirty years produce good timber. The Nevada and Utah districts have been so thoroughly elaborated by Mr. Watson in Vol. V. of King’s Reports, that no further statements con- cerning them are requisite. There is also an able article by Dr. W. J. Hoffman on the distribution of vegetation in portions of Nevada and Ari- zona, in the American Naturalist for June, 1877. Dr. Hoffman’s former connection with this Survey, his opportunities for observation, and his zeal in botany, confer a special value on his paper. I am indebted to my friend Dr. George Martin, of West Chester, Pa, for the following important note: Mean annual rainfall in Philadelphia for 43 years, ¢. ¢., from 1825 to 1867, ANCIUSIVGr eye a eee ete m o.asioe arcing d mesiie atau cmvnet, Aa 44.02 inches. Thus, mean for ing first coriese? altsyears, of this)period’s..-...-------- 42.12 inches. For the second series of the above period........ ........-.....-----. 45.86 inches. Taken from Smithsonian Tables (May, 1872). Mean annual rainfall in West Chester, Pa., for 18 years, i. ¢., from 1860 to NS INCLU SIV Cm erteer setae sila se cis oie ayoislere tere staoinewrerea Sere erect 51.18 inches. Thus, mean for the first series of 9 years of above period.......-...... 50.16 inches. Hor thesecondeseriesiofssamey) period serene eeeeceeen aceee ee oes: 52.20 inches. Taken from Register of Dr. Jesse C. Green. All will admit that a large body of woodland has been cleared during these periods in the vicinity of both these stations, and yet there has been an increase in precipitation. It will not do to compare the observations taken at West Chester with those of Philadelphia unless the whole series could be taken, as the local influences and errors of instruments have not been eliminated. ach, however, is complete and conclusive in itself. ae as al 2 * 0 S a Laarpe, ; in 7 eu ; . t nyt P 6.) x , ry * , 4 [ Bek Pe, tit aN tury wy may et ; ‘ 5 ae 0, or we pe ria es “ enh) a SOAs Ol See ; Ai =, L "a %. Per >? mp aS eens ihe ee ref U. S. GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN. 1st Lirut. GEO. M. WHEELER, Corrs or ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY, IN CHARGE, CHS PTH hk lit. I @ a lS ON HeONOMIC., BOTANY. BY J. T. ROTHROCK, SURGEON AND BOTANIST TO THE EXPEDITIONS OF 1673, 1874, AND 1875, GHA AGP PER WPT. NOTES ON ECONOMIC BOTANY. Berseris Aquirotium, Pursh. Oregon Grape—According to Dr. En- gelman, this is also called in Colorado, Mountain Graps, and the juice when fermented makes, on the addition of sugar, a palatable and whole- some wine. CAULANTHUS CRASSICAULIS, Watson. Wild Cabbage-—Sometimes used as food, when a better substitute cannot be found. Fremontia Carirornica, Torr. California Slippery Elm.—Though to- tally unlike Eastern slippery elm in its botanical characteristics, the inner bark develops large quantities of mucilage when wet; in this respect sharing the peculiar properties of some other members of the order. Used in Cali- fornia to make poultices, ete. Eropium cicurarium, L. Her. Alfilaria,* Pin Clover, Pin Grass.—A valuable forage in California, Arizona, and New Mexico; eagerly eaten by the stock. Gay (Historia de Chile, Botanica, tom. prim pp. 38%) speaks of both this and E. moscnatum as among the best natural forage-plants of Chili, and believes them to be indigenous. It is strange that little or noth- ing is said concerning their value in this respect in Kuropean works. I can only account for this, that on the more constantly green swards of the East stock does not seize upon it with the same avidity that it does in a country where it remains green after all else is dead, and grows where nothing else will flourish. Larrea Mexicana, Moricand. Creosote-bush— Common from Western Texas to Kern County, California, and southward into Mexico. Dr. Loew’s examination proves that “ the reddish-brown exudate on the branches” will yield a red coloring-matter showing all the reactions of cochineal. “The alcoholic extract of the leaves on evaporation yields a greenish- brown residue of a specific and somewhat disagreeable odor, more strongly perceptible on boiling the extract with water. This residue is only to a * Commonly spelled as above, but the correct orthography appears to be Alfilerillo. 41 42 BOTANY. small extent soluble in water, and the solution has an acid reaction. It yields a light yellow precipitate with acetate of lead. The part of the alco- holic extract that is insoluble in water is easily soluble in alkalies. It also dissolves in nitric acid at a moderate heat, whereby oxydation takes place. On addition of water, a yellow, brittle mass is precipitated.” The Mexi- cans are said to use an infusion of the leaves for bathing in, in rheumatic affections. See Vol. III, Wheeler’s Reports, pp. 608-9. Ravs DIvERSILoBA, T. & G. Poison Oak, Yeara—Much like our poison oak of the Eastern States. Common on the Pacific coast. For remedy see Grindelia robusta. NeEGunDo acERoweEs, Meench. Box-Elder.—Bearing in mind the great success of the experiments with this tree in Kansas and Nebraska, and its wide range over the more arid areas of our Southwest, it may be well to remember it in further attempts at tree culture. Though hardly to be considered as a valuable timber, it may fairly be reckoned on the shade and fuel list, and fairly associated in this respect with the following: Scuinus mouue, Linn., from Mexico and South America—Now grown in Southern California under the name of Pepper Tree and Chili Pepper. P Prosopis JULIFLORA, DC. Mesquit. Algaroba of the Mexicans.—Grows from Southeastern California east to Texas, where it attains the tree size, and forms dense thickets; extends south into South America. The gum exud- ing from this tree closely resembles gum arabic in appearance and in its properties, and may some day become an important article in trade. The pods while yet in pulpy condition are a valuable forage, eagerly eaten by animals, and on which they actually thrive while making hard marches. The beans contain thirty per cent. of grape-sugar. Dr. Loew asserts that the Comanche Indians prepare an alcoholic beverage from them. As a fuel it ranks with the hickory of the Eastern States, and the charcoal made from it is said by Dr. Loew to be of the best quality for metallurgical and smelting purposes. Besides this species, there is another, hardly less useful, i. e., P. pubescens, Benth., the Screw-Bzay, the pods of which are ground into flour by the Indians. The wood of both species is of great value in some of the arts. GENERAL REPORT. 43 Oxytropis LamBerti,* Pursh, inColorado; and AstracaLus Hornit and ASTRAGALUS LENTIGINOSUS var. FremontuH, in California, are known as loco- plants. The term loco, simply meaning foolish, is applied because of the pe- culiar form of dementia induced in the animals that are in the habit of eating the plant. In Arizona, I was told that Hosackia Purshiana produces effects similar to the above plants, but I have no certain knowledge concerning it. Whether the animals (horses chiefly) begin to eat the plant from neces- sity (which is not likely) or from choice, Iam unable to say. Certain it is, however, that once commenced, they continue it, passing through temporary intoxication to a complete nervous and muscular wreck in the later stages, when it has developed into a fully marked disease, which terminates in death from starvation or inability to digest a more nourishing food. The animal toward the last becomes stupid or wild, or even vicious, or again acting as though attacked with “blind staggers”. Dr. Horatio Wood, jr., has recently brought to light (Phila. Med. Times, vol. vii, p. 510) a new alkaloid in Sophora speciosa, Benth. This he names sophoria. In its action it resembles Calabar bean. This alkaloid is a spinal sedative, producing death through the respiration. One-twentieth of a grain of an impure specimen of this alkaloid produced a profound sleep, lasting many hours, in a half-grown cat. Mr. Bellinger, of Texas, states that the Indians near San Antonio use it as an intoxicant, half a bean producing “delirious exhilaration followed by a sleep which lasts two or three days”; and it is asserted that a whole bean would kill a man. Mr. Lemmon has noted Astragalus Mortoni ‘as a deadly sheep poison” in California. See Brewer & Watson, Bot. Cal., vol. i, p. 155. This order (Leguminose) was, until lately, regarded as on the whole rather innocuous, but recent discoveries have brought to light quite a num- ber of plants of bad repute. CERCOCARPUS LEDIFOLIUS, Nutt. Mountain Mahogany.— Growing in the mountains of California to be a tree twenty feet or more high. The wood when dry is dark-colored and excessively hard. It may yet be made available in the arts, as the wood takes a beautiful polish. “The alcoholic extract of this plant failed, when hypodermically injected by Dr. H. C. Wood, to produce poisonous symptoms in the lower animals. He hence concludes it is a mistake to regard it as one of the “loco plants ”. 44 BOTANY. Evcatyerus GLopuLus, Labill. Australian Blue Gum—Now planted by thousands in Southern California. This tree is of very rapid growth, and makes withal a solid, close-grained, enduring timber. Mr. Cooper, of Santa Barbara, estimates the gain in growing this to be greater than that derived from the cereals. As to its value from a medicinal standpoint, I am free to say it has in every instance disappointed me in its anti-periodic effects, I do not regard it (though I have used it heroically) as in any sense the peer of the preparations derived from cinchona. It is, however, not im- probable that the enormous evaporation from the surfaces of the leaves and young shoots may be a means of improving the sanitary condition of a moist, boggy, ague-cursed area, when the trees are planted in masses, but the idea that any mere cordon of trees around a home would protect it appears improbable, not to say preposterous. However, I am bound to say we are yet without sufficient data on which to base an absolute con- clusion. In such regions as the Sanoita Valley, Cienega, or San Pedro in Southern Arizona, it would doubtless flourish, and a few years hence be of immense value as a timber tree. The Southern Rio Grande Valley offers another suitable spot for its introduction. While this species will not endure cold weather, it is to be remembered that there are others of the genus that are hardier and almost as valuable as timber. These would probably be well worth a trial in Arizona and New Mexico. MENTZELIA ALBICAULIS, Dougl.—The Indians in Southeastern California pound up the seeds of this, making thus one of their forms of pinoli. Some- times also used by them in a kind of cake. CucuRBITA PERENNIS, Gray. Chili Cojote, and Calabazilla in Southern California.—Brewer & Watson assert, in Fl. Cal. p. 239, ‘that the pulp of the green fruit is used with soap to remove stains from clothing, and that the macerated root is used as a remedy for piles, and the seeds are eaten by the Indians.” Cymopreris Frenpiert, Gray. Chimaja of New Mexico.—This plant emits, when in decoction, a peculiarly strong and pleasant odor, not unlike C. anisatus, which it closely resembles. The residents in and about Santa Fé are in the habit of using this as the chief ingredient, after whisky, to form a warm- ing, stomachie “bitters”, which is immensely popular, as anything is likely GENERAL REPORT. 45 to be which improves in any way the whisky of the region. A less objec- tionable use is made of it by using it as a stuffing in a leg of roast mutton, the whole mass of which it permeates with its pleasant flavor. It is not unlikely that ere long this plant will be made the basis of another quack constitutional invigorator. There is probably no doubt of its being a good carminative, and it may also prove to a certain extent tonic. Osua.—This root, so well known in and around Santa Fé, is derived from an unknown plant, probably a Peucedanum. Dr. Herman Haupt, jr., has furnished a careful analysis of the root in the Am. Jour. Pharm. Aug. 1, 1873, p. 847, in which he concludes that his results indicate the presence of “an acid not identical with angelic acid; it appears to be a new acid hitherto unknown, and to deserve to be distinguished by the name of Oshaic acid. From 100 grains of the air-dried root 8 grains of ashes were obtained, containing iron, aluminum, sodium, and potassium.” It is probably this plant to which Dr. Loew alludes, under name of Angelica, in Vol. II, Wheeler’s Reports, p. 608. It is alleged to have tonic properties. Better specimens are desirable, as it is altogether probable the plant is an old, well-known species. It may have remedial powers that will stand investigation. According to Messrs. Brewer and Watson, in Flora of California, the roots of Carum Gairdneri and C. Kelloggii are a prominent article of food among the California Indians, as are also the roots of most of the species of Cymopterus and Peucedanum. Evratorium Berianpiert, DC.—A specimen of this was handed me at the Chiricahua Agency in Southern Arizona, and the statement made that the Apache Indians there were in the habit of using it as a substitute for tobacco. At first I was disposed to accept the statement cum grano salis, but have since discovered that other species are elsewhere used ina like manner. On trial, I find the smoke devoid of any marked flavor, but rather acrid when passed through the nostrils. It also appears to have some more marked prop- erty in a very slight degree, as indicated by a gentle nervous tremor induced in smoking. The dry leaves when rubbed in the hand emit faintly a rather resinous odor. There is no doubt but that it would be quite as pleasant and satisfactory as much of the drugged, cheap tobacco now on the market. 46 BOTANY. GRINDELIA RoBusTA, Nutt. Gum Plant of California—This plant has recently come into notice as a remedy in poisoning from Rhus diversiloba (Poison Oak of California). So far as I know, it has not been tested on our Eastern poison oak, which is another species, and for which the fluid extract of Serpentaria, as advised by Dr. Henry Hartshorne, acts almost as a specific, when applied locally. The resmous exudation on the leaves of the Grindelia is applied in California, or it has been used in the form of a tincture. Concerning the wide range of usefulness anticipated in medicine for Grindelia, I am in the highest degree skeptical. BIGELOVIA VENETA, Gray. “Damiana” in Northern Mexico.—The plant is found just outside our borders, and may reach within our domain. I intro- duce it here because it is so closely related to B. Menziesii, which extends abundantly from San Diego to Arizona, and as far north as Utah, as to be by some regarded as identical. Concerning Damiana, or, as it is often called, Yerba anti-rheumatica, we have of late heard much in medical jour- nals as an aphrodisiac. There are a number of other claimants for the name Damiana. Of this one, I am free to confess I consider it utterly worthless as a remedial agent. The resinous exudation on it somewhat resembles that found on Gindelia robusta, and was probably the means of attracting attention to it. Pectis angustifolia and P. papposa appear to have been generally noticed because of their peculiar odor of lemons. Indeed, Dr. Loew suggests that in the former this might be turned to commercial account. Arremisia.—Several Western species have been reputed as of use in ague and mountain fever by the prospectors of the West. They are used in decoction. J am not prepared to vouch for their efficacy, however. Some species are said to ‘“‘owe to their aroma and bitterness decidedly stimulating properties.” See Le Maout and Decaisne, English edition, p. 505. The current ideas concerning some of our Eastern species would go for some- thing in confirming the estimate placed on the Western ones. ASCLEPIAS LEUCOPHYLLA, Engelm , var.oprusa, Gray. ‘“ Milkweed.”—Has about Fort Tejon, California, the reputation of ‘‘locoing” the sheep. How well merited this is I am unable to say. Eriopictyon.—In California I believe the name ‘Yerba santa” is used GENERAL REPORT. 47 for both E. tomentosum and glutinosum of Bentham. An infusion of the leaves in whisky or other alcoholic liquor is reckoned almost a panacea by the native population. Precise clinical trial is yet needed to determine its true value. Erirricutum rutvum, A. DC.—I have received from my friend Mr. William L. Kennedy, of Fort Tejon, California, abundant specimens of this plant, collected in white paper, which it had stained completely with a bright orange-red color. Mr. Kennedy accompanied the specimens with the re- mark that ‘the fresh root and leaves are used by the squaws to paint their faces, and that the color is not inferior to the finest rouge.” From the abundance of the juice, as manifested by the stained paper in which I re- ceived the plants, I infer that the plant might be turned to some commercial account. The coloring matter is not confined to this species. Cuscura racemosa, Mart. Alfalfa Dodder—Coming from Chili, and in- troduced thence into Europe; as early as 1874 was discovered in California, and means indicated then for its destruction by Professor Thurber in the American Agriculturist. Since then it has been doing extensive damage to the Alfalfa crop, as we hear from Dr. Engelmann in the Botanical Gazette for January, 1877, p. 69. An immunity from this pest would be cheaply purchased by early and frequent examination of the Alfalfa fields and the destruction of the plants infected before seeds can be matured, as advised by Dr. Engelmann. It is also worthy of consideration as to whether it would not be as well to prevent importation of Alfalfa from Chili, or, what is the same thing, lucerne from Europe, in view of the likelihood of introducing still further this unwelcome intruder from places where it has been so thoroughly established.* Nicotrana.—Various of the indigenous species of tobacco appear to *QUSCUTA RACEMOSA.—In the January number of the Gazette, Dr. Engelmann gave awarning to the farmers who wished to cultivate the Alfalfa, or California clover, to beware of the dodder, Cuscuta racemosa, which had always accompanied it in Europe and California. The warning was sent through- out this region, to the county papers, but in spite of it all, seed-agents have succeeded in running in a great deal of Alfalfa seed. As a consequence, a short time ago, after the clover had started well, I began to receive specimens of the plant encircled by a “ troublesome little vine”, and everybody wanted to know what it was. It was the genuine Cuscuta racemosa in good flower and frnit, and it has come up in every Alfalfa field in this county. The agricultural editors of several widely circulated papers are recommend- ing it, and deing what they can to bripg this annoying parasite into our fields.—J. M. Coulter, Bot. Gaz. vol. 2, p. 136. 48 BOTANY. have been used by the native population past and present. Among them, however, is one of some interest from an archeological standpoint, N. Cleve- landi, Gray, Syn. FI, vol. ii, part 1, p. 242. This small and small-flowered spe- cies was found by me only in association with the shell heaps which occur so abundantly on the coast of Southern and Central California. Perhaps of all the remains of extinct races so richly furnished by that region, none wére so common as the pipes, usually made of stone resembling serpentine, and in shape, as Dr. Yarrow has aptly remarked, like a cigar-holder. These pipes were seldom less than 6 inches long, and 14 inches in diameter at the larger end, and often much exceeded these measurements. The wing-bone of a pelican, cut to say 2 inches in length, was glued with the inevitable asphaltum into the smaller end as a mouth-piece. Uncomfortable as pipes of this size must have been in use, there is no doubt that they were much used, and there is hardly any doubt in my mind that the above named species of tobacco was the standard supply for them. I can only say, from some experience, that it is excessively strong. Salvia Columbaria, Benth., is the Chia of Southern and Central Cali- fornia. .I abstract the following brief account I have given of it from the Botanical Bulletin: . ‘During the summer of 1875 my attention was called, while in South- ern California, to a mealy preparation in popular use among the Indians, Mexicans, and prospectors. On inquiry, I found it was called ‘Chia’ Fur- ther examination proved that it was furnished by the seeds of Salvia Colum- barie, Benth. The seeds are collected, roasted, and ground, in the native way, between two stones. This puts it in the condition in which I first saw it. It is used as a food by mixing it with water and enough sugar to suit the taste. It soon develops into a copious mucilaginous mass, several times the original bulk. The taste is somewhat suggestive of linseed meal. One soon acquires a fondness for it, and eats it rather in the way of a luxury than with any reference to the fact that it is exceedingly nutritious besides. It is in great demand among the knowing ones who have a desert to cross, or who expect to encounter a scarcity of water, and what there is, of bad quality. By preparing it so thin that it can be used as a drink, it seems to assuage thirst, to improve the taste of the water, and, in addition, GENERAL REPORT. 49 to lessen the quantity of water taken, which in hot countries is often so excessive as to produce serious illness. As a remedy it is invaluable, from its demulcent properties, in cases of gastro-intestinal disorders. It also holds a place among domestic remedies, for the same purpose that flaxseed -oceasionally does with us, 7. ¢., a grain of the seed is placed in the eye (where it gives no pain) to form a mucilage by means of which a foreign body may be removed from the organ. I have found it of great service as a poultice. As a matter of archzxological interest, it may be noted that quantities of this seed were found buried in graves several hundred years old. This proves that the use of the seed reaches back into the remote past. Indeed, I find several allusions to the name Chia in the second vol- ume of Bancroft’s great work on the ‘Native Races of the Pacific States,’ pp. 232, 280, 347, 360. Chianpinoli appears to have been made by the so-called Aztec races from corn which was roasted and ground as the Chia was. Chia was, among the Nahua races of Ancient Mexico, as regularly cultivated as corn, and often used in connection with it. Indeed, it was one of the many kinds of meal in constant use, and which appear to have gone then, as now, under the generic name of pinoli.” ABRONIA FRAGRANS, Nutt—The delicious perfume of the flowers of this plant suggests the inquiry as to whether it could not be utilized as a toilet adjunct. Specimen number 127 of the New Mexican collection, when taken at Agua Azule, was fairly loading the air with its matchless fragrance. Evurotia anata, Moq ‘White Sage,” ‘Winter Fat.”— Widely diffused through our Western Territories, and held in great repute as a winter forage; stock feeding on it actually gaining flesh when living on this plant, so un- promising in its appearance. It is noteworthy that most animals do not at first eat it from choice. Of this we had the strongest evidence furnished by mules taken from Missouri to Colorado. They would not touch it The Utah band, however, eagerly devoured it. Said by Mr. Watson to impart a disagreeable flavor to the meat of cattle fed upon it, and also asserted by the same authority to be used as a remedy in intermittents. Anemtopsis* Catirornica, Hook. “Yerba de Mansa.”—This plant, if we * Spelled Anemopsis in Bot. Beech. p. 390: Anemiopsis in DC. Prod. vol. 16, pars 1, p. 287; where also in the index, as a footnote, the following occurs: ‘‘ Anemopsis in Hook. et Arn. [ Bot. Beech. 1. v.], sed rectius, ex Anemia, Anemiopsis ut scripsit Endlicher.” 4 BOT 50 BOTANY. may at all credit popular report, is well worthy of further investigation as a remedial agent. Unfortunately I have mislaid my notes, and can say now nothing more definite than that it is regarded as a diuretic, and is largely used in baths for rheumatic affections. It is rather unsafe to venture an opinion on its mere appearance; but, if I were to do so, I should say it would probably drop into that somewhat vague class of remedies known to physicians as alteratives. Evupuorsia.—The various prostrate species of this genus have, in the Southwest, a popular reputation as a remedy in bite of rattlesnakes, taran- tulas, ete.; and, to meet the demand for it, a tincture is kept on hand in the shops. In absence of this (on the authority of Dr. George Thurber), the fresh leaves bruised, or the dry ones steeped in wine, are applied to the wound. These plants are there known as “Yerba de la Golondrina”. While not wishing to cast discredit upon the remedy applied in this way (and that too after the venom has usually been taken into the general circulation), I can only say it is hard to understand how it could be of any service. EPHEDRA ANTISYPHILITICA, C. A. Meyer. ‘‘Canuitillo,” ‘Tepopote,” “Whorehouse Tea.”—The names, scientific and popular, might be regarded as sufficiently indicative of the alleged properties of the plant. The stems of the plant are largely used in decoction as a remedy in gonorrheea. Precise clinical results are wanting to determine its real value. However, by com- mon consent among the populace, and so far as I can learn from medical men of the region, it is of real service. Its close botanical relationship to the balsam-producing Conifere would appear to suggest that this too must con- tain a like product. This, however, is not confirmed by the careful analysis of Dr. Loew (Vol. III, Wheeler’s Reports, pp. 611 and 612). The above- ground portion is there shown to yield an aqueous extract of ‘‘acid reaction, and an astringent taste, resembling that of tannin.” No body resembling an organic base or alkaloid was found. The filtrate of the aqueous solution proved the presence of tannin and tartaric acid. Pectin was also shown to be in the filtrate by the ‘‘jelly-like precipitate produced by the addition of alcohol.” The tannin belongs to the glucosid group, furnishing sugar on treatment with acid and various other compounds, and, upon dry distillation, pyrogallic and carbonic acids. This tannin splits up into sugar “and a red GENERAL REPORT. 51 amorphous powder.” ‘The powder Dr. Loew considers quite a distinct body, which he names ephedrin, and to this he attributes (and probably correctly) its remedial properties. So concurrent is the testimony in favor of this plant that it is well worthy of a fair trial in hospital practice. Poputus TremMuLoEs, Michx. American Aspen—Dr. Loew reports the bark of this tree to be used by the Indians in intermittent fever. It has long been more or less of a domestic remedy, and, indeed, of a certain class of practitioners, for this disease. It is not a little remarkable, however, that it should also be used by the Indians, and we can only account for the fact that it does possess some remedial power in this direction, which a “hit or miss” empiricism has led them to discover. Dr. Loew’s analysis of the bark yields salicin and populin. The former was long ago in common use in intermittents. It is therefore probably slightly anti-periodic as well as tonic in its action. Acave Patmeri and A. Parry. ‘“‘Mescal.”—The admirable papers of Dr. Engelmann on this and on Yucca leave little for any one else to add. In hopes, however, of somewhat enlarging the circulation of what he and Dr. Loew have already brought out, I incorporate the leading facts here: “The subterranean trunk of most (or all?) the Agaves contains, like that of Yuccas and many other plants of these families, a great deal of mucilage, which, mixed with water, has detergent properties to a consider- _ able degree; these ‘roots’ and the whole plants thus used are known to the Mexicans by the name of ‘Amole’.”—Engelmamn, 1. c. The leaves of all or nearly all the species abound in a coarse fibre, which has been utilized by the native population in making a cheap cordage. Mescal whisky is prepared by distillation from the juice which has been collected in the cavity formed by removal of the just starting flower-stem and the inner leaves. The quantity yielded is almost fabulous. This whisky contains a large percentage of alcohol, and it is said that it is im- possible to adulterate it so that the adulteration cannot at once be detected in the taste. Hence it is hardly surprising that those who are “advised to take stimulants” take so kindly to ‘‘Mescal”. Fresh from the still, it is even hotter than corn whisky equally new. The unopened interior leaves forming a sort of head are taken by the 52 BOTANY. Indians, roasted several hours (without direct access of air?), and then eaten. The first effect is that of a laxative on those not accustomed to the food. Dr. Loew’s analysis of the dried, uncooked young leaves revealed the fact that there was no starch present, not even a trace. Yet the sweet taste of the roasted Mescal was enough alone to suggest the presence of sugar. He discovered that exposure to heat alone, will cause it to yield grape-sugar in abundance. This also took place on application of cold water, and he remarks that it appeared impossible to separate the suspected new substance he had to deal with from the cellular tissue without simultaneous formation of grape-sugar. Further examination proved he had to do with a com- pound body, a glucosid and citric acid. This he names citro-glucosid. It differs from this class of bodies in this, that water alone can separate it into grape-sugar and citric acid; the compound never before having been found in nature or made in a laboratory. The flowering stalk when green is much resorted to by Indians and travellers to alleviate the suffering caused by the parched mouth; they take a section of the stem, say a foot long, and suck out the saccharine fluid, and afterward chew the interior pith or pulp. When dried, the stems are used to form covering for houses, before the mud is thrown on, which is to complete the roof. In connection with what has been said of the strong fibre of Agave, it might be appropriate to mention that the Dasylirium, or Bear’s Grass, of which there are several species in this same region, also produces more or less fibre that may yet be utilized. Yucca saccaTa, Torr., along with other species of the same genus, is, like Agave, also known to the Mexicans as Amole, and the root used by them in washing. Dr. Loew has recently furnished an analysis of the root (Vol. III, p. 609, Wheeler’s Reports), and finds the pith produced on agitating the pounded root in water is due to saponin. Of course, its marked detergent properties depend on this. The leaves of this also furnish a coarse fibre. | I U. S. GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN. 1st Lizrut. GEO. M. WHEELER, Corrs or Enernerrs, U.S. ARMY, IN CHARGE. OHARA TREY: CATALOGUE 19) PLANTS COLLECTED NEVADA, UTAH, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND ARIZONA, WITII DESCRIPTIONS OF THOSE NOT CONTAINED IN GRAY’S MANUAL OF THE NORTHERN U. S., AND VOL. V, GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF THE FORTIETH PARALLEL. BY J. T. ROTHROCK, SURGEON AND BOTANIST TO THE EXPEDITIONS OF 1873, 1874, AND 1875, AND THE FOLLOWING BOTANISTS: SERENO WATSON, Campripeu, Mass. GEORGE VASEY, M. D., AGRicuLTURAL DrEPart- GEORGE ENGELMANN, M. D., Sr. Louts, Mo. MENT, WASHINGTON, D. C. Pror. THOS C. PORTER, Easton, PENN. Pror. D. C. EATON, Yatr CoitteGn, New Ha- M. S. BEBB, FountTainDaLn, ILL. VEN, CONN. WM. BOOTT, Boston, Mass. THOS. P. JAMES, CamprinGe, Mass. Pror. EDWARD TUCKERMAN, Amuenst, Mass. Pali = : = + Me wae speak WielTt honk hole TGAY MS Me. ¥ ee ee * | ewG ee At rill See A “f Wee FE K , ky : . 16AT phineiahy ae» ie Misses 2 # As | ae % oa -- a Ah ee ; are mt J ¥ * egy eee ee a kaestal ae Be | ye =D — i vee aeok 5 slisies ea ane a ee igs | Rr aoe he 8) 8 a i Ae. eet eee KP e ae ¢ ca nh tas 8 Fee Res ay ee REN Aah aoe ee “ds - meena : | i sy ae a tere ieee Pl) ea Weve 74 CePA cane . fee ‘ ' j : ‘ a? 7 7 on ah os é Pw paced Reren oe ics oy 2 wry ae (hs, ple a ae ae Lad geil 1 ee Pe: Tees ; i Sane ert Vea fe RaYeL y! Viet a A —; sah a eG wn _ ry, i» HO te @ FM at pyre ae: Ohi J = Wile a ee: j ips, oes «? = « OE A PEER LY; CATALOGUE. EXOGENS. RANUNCULACEZ.* Crematis Douerasu, Hook.—Clear Creek, Colorado. (92.) CLematis Ligusticirot1a, Nutt—Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and (80) from Colorado. The number 498 from Camp Bowie, Ariz., is var. Cali- fornica, Watson (FI. Cal. I, p. 3), characterized by leaves being “silky- tomentose beneath and often small”. Ciemaris Drummonpu, T. & G.—Dicecious, “silky villous beneath, sparingly hirsute on the upper surface ” (in my specimens from Cienega, Ariz., No 567, both surfaces are smoothish), leaflets ovate, deeply and acutely 3-lobed, sepals 4, lanceolate-oblong, carpels quite villous, with long and plumose styles, stem slender, grooved, and altogether much more grace- ful than C. ligusticifolia. Ciematis aupina, Mill. var. Ocxorensis, Gray.—Subalpine ridges among timber, at 10,500 to 11,500 feet altitude. (91.) THaLicrruM ALPINUM, L.—South Park, Colorado. At 10,000 feet. Typical specimens large. (94.) : Traticrrum Fenpiert, Engelm.—Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado in | South Park at 10,000 feet altitude. (144 and 280.) ANEMONE MULTIFIDA, DC.—South Park, Colorado, at 9,000 to 11,000 feet altitude. (105 and 108.) _ ANEMONE PATENS, L., var. Nurraiiana, Gray.—Mountains of Colorado, at 6,000 to 10,500 feet altitude. (107.) ANEMONE NaRcIssIFLORA, L.—Six inches to a foot high, from a fibrous *Signs used: The degree (°) indicates feet. The minute (’) indicates inches. The second (C29) indicates lines, i. e. y4; of an inch. The hyphen means, to, i. e. 6-12’ is 6 to 12 inches. The figures in parentheses are numbers under which the specimens were distributed. 55 56 BOTANY. tufted root; petioles 1-4 inches long, leaves 3-5 parted, each segment lanceolate-cuneate and trifid; involucre sessile, its leaflets 3-5 cleft; car- pels tailless, compressed, oval, and glabrous. Entire plant more or less densely covered with gray hairs; flowers white. ound in America most commonly from Canada north, but growing in Colorado on alpine summits, where, according to Mr. J. M. Coulter, it has been found at an elevation of 13,500 feet. (102 a) ANEMONE CYLINDRICA, Gray.—Willow Springs, Ariz.; rare there and probably by seme accident introduced. (247.) Myosurus minimus, L.—Colorado; altitude, 8,000 feet and upwards; specimens much dwarfed. (169.) Ranuncuuus aquarTiis, L., var. staGnaTiLis, DC.—Denver. Flowers almost as large as R. Purshii, Richardson, var. trichophyllus, Chaix. ‘Twin Lakes, Colo., at 9,500 feet altitude. (113 and 115.) RanuncuLus Frammuta, L., var. REPTANS, Gray.—Colorado. (172 and 173.) RanuncuLus HypRocHaRores, Gray. (PI. Thurb. p. 506.)—Glabrous throughout, flowering branches erect, numerous stolons branching off in all directions and rooting; lower leaves heart-shaped, and entire, or nearly so; petioles 2-3’ long, expanding and sheathing at the base; upper leaves lanceolate; peduncles about as long as the upper leaves, from opposite the axils of which they arise; sepals round, petals 3”, tapering into a claw, which has a conspicuous gland below a small sinus; stamens about 25 ; carpels 15-20, forming a head 2-3” in diameter. Willow Springs, Ariz., growing in water at a temperature of 50° Fahr. at an elevation of 7,202 feet. A most interesting species, which I believe has not hitherto been taken so far north. (217.) Ranuncutus CympauartA, Pursh.—In Colorado grows everywhere in low moist ground, evincing, however, a marked choice for alkaline soils, but still flourishing in the freshest of snow water; altitude, 5,000 to 10,000 feet. From Saguache, in the San Luis Valley, we have a form with an erect, stout scape, bearing three or four flowers, having thicker and larger leaves, and manifesting little or no tendency to produce stolons. At Santa Fé, N. Mex., I collected it (10) at what I presume is the CATALOGUE. 57 identical location from which Fendler obtained his plant, published by Dr. Gray in PI. Fendl. p. 4, as R. tridentatus, H. B. K., and this I take to be the same form as that above alluded to from San Luis Valley. In addition to the difference noted by Dr. Gray in Pl. Fendl., I find the beaks of the achenia are in my specimens more tapering than in typical 2. Cymbalaria. Collected also in California, Eastern Arizona, and Utah. (Colorado. 101.) Ranuncutus AnpErsoni, Gray.—Belmont, Ney. (Platei, vol. vy, King’s Report.) Ranuncutws aponeus, Gray. (Enumeration of Plants, Parry, Hall, and Harbour.)—“ Low, sparsely villous, becoming with age glabrous ; root fasci- culately fibrous; branching from base, with one to three leaves above, either erect, simple, and one-flowered, or fleshy, decumbent, and with two or more flowers; leaves twice pedately parted, segments narrowly linear, peti- oles at base with dilated scarious margins ; peduncle short; corolla golden- yellow; conspicuous petals flabelliform, twice as long as the hairy, oval sepals; scale at base adnate, small.”* Usually a strictly alpine plant. My specimens, however, were obtained as low as 6,000 feet above the sea-level. RaNUNCULUS GLABERRIMUS, Hook. (Flor. Bor.-Am. tab. v.)}—Leaves rather lanceolate than ovate. Ranuncutus arrinis, R. Br, var. caRpIOoPpHYLLUS, Gray. RR. cardi- ophyllus, Hook. (FI. Bor.-Am. tab. v.)—Colorado, at an elevation of 8,000 to 9,000 feet. (121 and170.) Willow Springs, Ariz., at 7,202 feet altitude. Also collected by Dr. Loew in Western New Mexico. RanuncuLus sceLERATUS, L.—Cauline leaves, with a manifest tendency to division of the lobes; otherwise like an Eastern form. Colorado. (99, DO; 11) 416:) Ranuncutus Pursuu, Richardson—Among my specimens are a large number with petals trifid and the scales distinctly three-lobed. Twin Lakes, Colo, at an elevation of 9,500 feet. (117.) RaNUNCULUS HYPERBOREUS, Rottb., var. NaTans, C. A. Meyer.—Stem weak, diffusely branched, glabrous, rooting from the nodes, creeping ; leaves petioled, palmately 3—-5-cleft, 8-5’ wide, lobes ovate, obtuse, petioles 6-12” ; peduncles naked, 6-12”, often reflexed; sepals yellow, ovate, or * When, as frequently occurs, I have been obliged to quote a specific description, it is from some imperfection in my own specimens. 58 BOTANY. oblong, 1-2”; carpels forming a compact, globose head, style very short or wanting. Twin Lakes, Colo.; altitude, 9,500 feet. (100.) RaANUNCULUS MACRANTHUS, Scheele.—Usually regarded as a mere variety of R. repens, L.; but I am satisfied from Mr. Watson’s showing that it is distinct, as the greater villosity, the fewer stolons, the distinctly peti- olulate leaflets, the more strictly reflexed sepals, the large flowers, and the long beaks to the carpels all indicate. Willow Springs, Ariz. ; altitude, 7,202 feet. _ Ranuncunus recurvaTus, Poir—Style not conspicuously recurved, but in degree of hairiness, compressed achenia, relative size of sepals and petals, shape and dentition of scale, markedly corresponding with descrip- tion given by T. & G. Colorado. (162.) CALTHA LEPTOSEPALA, DC.—A common and characteristic plant in our Colorado collection; 8,000 to 12,000 feet above the sea. (109.) TROLLIUS Laxus, Salisb., var. ALBIFLoRUS, Gray.—One of the most conspicuous early bloomers in alpine swamps, where, when found, it is quite abundant. Associated with the preceding plant. (102.) Aquitecia Canapensis, L.—Arizona, lava rocks south of Camp Apache. Leaves smaller than our Eastern form. (268.) Western New Mexico, at high altitude, depauperate specimens. Coll. Loew. (164 and167.) Utah. Aquitecia ForMoSsA, Fisch.—‘ Distinguishable from the last by its elongated sepals nearly or quite equalling the spurs, and by its stouter habit, growing only on stream banks in the mountains and flowering from July to September. Nevada and Utah; ranging from the Rocky Mount- ains to Oregon and Sitka, but not found in California.”—W arson. AQUILEGIA CHRULEA, James.—Introduced largely into cultivation, and to my mind the finest plant of the Rocky Mountains. Western New Mex- ico; altitude, 6,500 feet. Loew. Colorado; open woods; common; alti- tude, 10,000 feet. (163.) ‘Near Provo City, Utah. A reduced form of this species, with bright blue flowers, was collected at Kanab in Southern Utah, by Mrs. E. P. Thompson, in 1872. It has also recently been found in the Sierras near Mount Whitney” [Cal.]—Warson. AQUILEGIA CHRYSANTHA, Gray (Proc. Am. Acad. 8, p. 621).